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ARTICLE · 05 FEBRUARY 2026

3 Takeaways From US Antitrust M&A Activity In Q3 2025

McDermott Will & Schulte
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United States (US) antitrust enforcement in Q3 2025 reflects a pragmatic yet assertive approach under the Trump administration. While the US Department of Justice (DOJ)...

United StatesAntitrust/Competition Law
Payton Thornton
Payton Thornton
Carolin Schumacher
Carolin Schumacher
Jon Dubrow
Jon Dubrow
Joel Grosberg
Joel Grosberg
Stéphane Dionnet
Stéphane Dionnet
Graham Hyman
Graham Hyman
Max Küttner
Max Küttner
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United States (US) antitrust enforcement in Q3 2025 reflects a pragmatic yet assertive approach under the Trump administration. While the US Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are clearing mergers swiftly or resolving concerns through settlements, they remain vigilant on compliance – particularly with Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) obligations. Recent speeches and enforcement actions underscore a dual message: Regulators aim to facilitate dealmaking where competitive risks are minimal but will not hesitate to impose penalties or pursue litigation, when necessary.

DOJ antitrust head says its aim is to "get out of the way quickly" in most cases

In a speech before the Ohio State University Law School, US Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Gail Slater, the head of the DOJ Antitrust Division, noted that the guiding principle of her (and the Trump administration's) antitrust enforcement philosophy is to enforce the nation's competition laws "both

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