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ARTICLE · 06 MARCH 2025

FTC, DOJ Keep Biden-Era Merger Rules Under Trump

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The Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division said this month that they will continue to use Biden-era merger guidelines...

United StatesAntitrust/Competition Law
Rachel J. Lamorte
Rachel J. Lamorte
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The Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division said this month that they will continue to use Biden-era merger guidelines, contrary to predictions that the Trump administration would relax antitrust enforcement.

Going forward with the stricter guidelines championed by former FTC Chair Lina Khan could indicate more robust enforcement of antitrust law than is typical for a Republican administration, attorneys said this week.

“The Trump administration is challenging to predict, I will say, but I'm not expecting a substantial reduction in enforcement,” said Mayer Brown partner Rachel Lamorte.

Reed Smith partner Michelle Mantine said many companies looking to complete merger deals were excited with the change in administration, thinking there would be an immediate return to lighter enforcement.

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