EU Microsoft moves ruffle few U.S. feathers
Reuters | at | by Mike
An EU decision to fine Microsoft and force it to change how it does business in Europe may upset Microsoft, but is unlikely to threaten EU-U.S. ties as some past decisions have done.
The EU-U.S. relationship has also been volatile over the past two years due to differences over the Iraq war, the fall of the dollar, privacy protection and genetically modified food.
Today, the U.S. antitrust division is headed by R. Hewitt Pate. GE-Honeywell was history when he took over and the controversial Microsoft remedies package was crafted by his predecessor. Pate, with his easy manner, has a good personal and professional relationship with Mario Monti.