Global antitrust regulators are on pace to levy record-breaking
cartel penalties in 2014. If global regulators keep pace,
cartel penalties will surpass 2013's record total.
Through June, U.S. antitrust regulators issued fines totaling $709
million (USD), while European regulators imposed fines of $1.95
billion.
The record-breaking fines are the result of global regulators
more actively enforcing antitrust and competition laws. While
the U.S. and Europe have been rigorously investigating cartel
activity, Russia and many Asian countries have also seen a
noticeable uptick in activity. To date, China has levied
$36.3 million in fines, and Japan and South Korea are considerably
ahead of the pace needed to exceed 2013 totals. If the
current rate continues through the second half of 2014, global
regulators are likely to hit all-time highs by the end of the year,
especially considering that many large fines are frequently handed
out near year's end.
