The power to block or wave through mergers between companies from around the world is already among the most forceful weapons in the arsenal of the European Commission. Now, Brussels is demanding an upgrade.

Neelie Kroes, the European Union competition commissioner, surprised antitrust specialists this week, when she called for fresh powers to be handed to Brussels. More specifically, she wants the right to scrutinise deals even if the companies involved conduct the bulk of their business in one EU member state.