UK Lawmakers Demand Probe of JD.com's €2.2bn UK Expansion, Amazon Stands to Gain
AMZN•Shadow minister Alicia Kearns called for a UK investigation into JD.com’s Joybuy launch and possible acquisitions of Currys, Argos and Very Group over concerns of Chinese state subsidies. The EU has opened an in-depth inquiry into whether JD.com benefited from grants and tax incentives after its €2.2bn bid for Ceconomy.
1. UK Lawmakers Call for Probe
Shadow minister Alicia Kearns urged Parliament to scrutinise JD.com’s UK expansion under the Joybuy brand and its potential bids for Currys, Argos and Very Group, arguing that state subsidies give the company an unfair advantage over British retailers.
2. EU In-Depth Subsidy Inquiry
The European Commission has launched an in-depth investigation into whether JD.com received Chinese government subsidies—including financing, tax incentives and grants—following its €2.2bn offer for German electronics retailer Ceconomy.
3. Implications for Amazon
With JD.com facing increased regulatory scrutiny and planned customs duty changes on low-value imports (“de minimis” rule tightened to October 2028), Amazon may benefit from reduced competitive pressure in the UK market.
