JD.com’s attempt to address EU foreign subsidy concerns over its $2.5bn takeover of German electronics retailer Ceconomy has faced opposition from competitors, Reuters reported.
The European Commission (EC) informed JD.com this week that rival companies had reacted negatively to commitments the Chinese e-commerce group submitted last month, sources cited in the report said.
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Brussels must decide on the deal by 23 October.
According to one source, the proposed commitments would give Ceconomy access to JD.com’s European logistics and technology infrastructure at market rates.
Smaller rivals would also be offered access on fair, non-discriminatory terms.
The investigation is being conducted under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation, which is intended to address unfair state support from non-EU governments.
A preliminary conclusion in May said JD.com may have received subsidies, including favourable financing, tax breaks and grants, which may be linked to Chinese state entities.
In July, the EC set out the issues JD.com would have to address to secure clearance.
Discussions between Ceconomy and JD.com over a possible voluntary public offer started in July 2025, beginning the takeover process.
Reuters said neither the EC nor JD.com replied to its requests for comment on the negative response to the proposed commitments, which is likely to increase pressure on JD.com to put forward stronger concessions.
On 19 August 2026, China’s Ministry of Justice, alongside the Ministry of Commerce and other authorities, issued an order telling domestic entities not to cooperate with or assist the EU investigation.
Beijing said the investigation was an example of “undue extraterritorial jurisdiction.”
JD.com’s latest financial disclosure, published last month, reported operating income of 4.54bn yuan ($673.2m) for the second quarter of 2026, compared with an operating loss of 859m yuan in the same period a year earlier.
