Antitrust Enforcement Predictions for the 2024 US Election

As the U.S. presidential election approaches, the Antitrust & Competition team examines potential antitrust enforcement under various administrations. The Biden administration s aggressive antitrust policies were analyzed previously, while the Trump administration s first term saw increased antitrust rhetoric and enforcement priorities, including challenges to major tech deals and vertical mergers. Trump s campaign trail has been relatively quiet on antitrust matters, but his running mate JD Vance has advocated for aggressive antitrust enforcement, particularly against Big Tech companies. Vance praised FTC Chair Lina Khan for her understanding of market competition and called for breaking up Big Tech. The Heritage Foundation s 2025 Presidential Transition Project (Project 2025) outlines potential antitrust priorities for a new Trump administration. The project acknowledges the importance of antitrust enforcement in maintaining a competitive economy and addresses concerns about market concentration. It suggests that government regulations may favor large firms and calls for investigations into ESG practices that could mask anticompetitive activity. Project 2025 also recommends increased cooperation between the FTC and state attorneys general. Despite Trump s disavowal of Project 2025, companies should be aware of the antitrust and competition positions of each presidential candidate as the election draws near. The analysis of antitrust enforcement under different administrations can help businesses prepare for potential changes in policy and regulatory environment.

Source: natlawreview.com
Published on 2024-09-24