FTC And DOJ Issue Revised Antitrust Guidelines For International Enforcement And Cooperation

On January 13, 2017, the US Federal Trade Commission ("FTC") and US Department of Justice ("DOJ") (collectively, the "Agencies") jointly issued revised Antitrust Guidelines for International Enforcement and Cooperation (the "Guidelines"). The new Guidelines, which replace the 1995 Antitrust Enforcement Guidelines for International Operations, "reflect the increasing importance of antitrust enforcement in a globalized economy." According to outgoing FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez, the revised Guidelines "explain to the business and antitrust communities [the Agencies'] current approaches to international enforcement policy and related investigative tools, and cooperation." FTC commissioners unanimously approved the Guidelines, suggesting a continuity of approach to international antitrust issues in the Trump administration. In particular, the Guidelines focus on three topics: