Introduction
Geopolitical uncertainty and a softer M&A market made for a
challenging environment for dealmaking in 2024. A heightened risk
of antitrust and foreign investment intervention added to this
complexity. But, looking ahead, there is cause for optimism. A
surge in dealmaking is expected in 2025, fueled by
"pro-business" and growth agendas in key jurisdictions
and a trend towards a generally more permissive regulatory
environment.
In this tenth edition of our global merger control enforcement
report, looking back over the past year we observe that antitrust
authorities frustrated more deals in 2024 than in any of the
previous four years. They largely remained unwilling to accept
merger remedies, focused on novel concerns, and subjected merging
parties to lengthy review procedures. As a result, abandoned cases
rose by over 50%.
