DEBORAH MARCHINI, CNN ANCHOR: General Electric's proposed acquisitions of Honeywell is getting a closer look than expected from European regulators. Here to talk about it and what it might mean is Ian Rodger, international news editor of the "Financial Times," which is carrying this story. And, Ian, good morning to you. What's going on here?</s>IAN RODGER, INTL. NEWS EDITOR, "FINANCIAL TIMES": Well, it's hard to tell. At first glance, it's the Europeans trying to be tougher on antitrust than the Americans -- and a lot of suspicion around with the new Bush administration that they're going to go easy and give this deal a pretty easy ride. But Monti, the European Commission head of antitrust for Europe, has been really tough from the beginning, now suggesting that GE -- if this deal's allowed to happen, GE's sort of portfolio power, not only as a supplier of engines, but as a financier and leaser of airplanes, one of the biggest in the world, will be able to freeze out all its competitors.</s>MARCHINI: Now, question for you: Wouldn't you see a perspective remedy here? Or would they simply have to nix this deal rather than modify it?</s>RODGER: Well, the way they're approaching it, it's hard to tell. The main thing is that they're going out and asking the customers for their private opinions -- and the competitors. The Americans can't do that. If they ask them, the airlines and so on would have to testify publicly. So here's an opportunity for them to complain privately. Maybe that's something the U.S. antitrust guys want to hear, too.</s>MARCHINI: I dare say it might be. And we have no indication that the U.S. antitrust regulators feel differently about this, right?</s>RODGER: Well, as I say, the impression is, they're taking it easier.</s>MARCHINI: All right, thank you, Ian Rodger of the "FT."
European Regulators Taking Close Look at GE-Honeywell Deal