Temu accused of obstructing EU inspection in Ireland - Euronews.com

By Gael Camba & AFP Published on 31/07/2026 - 14:03 GMT+2 • Updated 17:26 The European Union on Friday accused Temu of failing to hand over information during an inspection as part of a probe into the Chinese-owned online retailer. The EU's powerful antitrust sheriff said it carried out surprise raids in early December 2025, seeking evidence in an investigation looking at whether Temu received "potentially distortive foreign subsidies". ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The European Commission said it "preliminarily finds that Temu has infringed its duty to actively cooperate on multiple aspects related to the conduct of the inspection" at the premises of its subsidiary, WhaleCo, in Dublin. Temu rejected the EU's findings. Temu "cooperated fully and complied with all the requests the commission made during the inspection", the company said, adding it will analyse the commission's claim. The EU said during the raids Temu did not provide information related to the organisation and management of Temu's activities in the EU, and the IT tools and systems used by the company for its activities. Temu also did not provide specific books and records on the company's activities in the EU. "Not providing the information prevented the commission from reviewing sources of information that could be relevant for its investigation," the EU said. The EU's accusation only relates to the December 2025 inspections, and Temu now has the right to reply to Brussels' concerns. Temu also "categorically" denied receiving unfair foreign subsidies. "Temu is committed to fair competition. The company generates sustained cash flows from its own operating activities that are sufficient to fund Temu's operations in the EU," the company said. Temu has 130 million users in the 27-nation EU, nearly a third of the bloc's population, making it one of the biggest online retailers in Europe. Go to accessibility shortcuts Read more One dead, five missing after a building collapses in Italy Italy suspends Schengen with Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis, closes air and sea borders Trump calls Ceuta migrant surge 'terrible' as White House blames far left European Union Temu Ireland