Germany, France, US Antitrust Authorities Monitor Competition Law Changes

Recent developments in competition law across Europe indicate a significant shift in how mergers and business practices will be regulated. In Germany, Federal Cartel Office President Andreas Mundt emphasized the importance of maintaining stringent merger controls to enhance competitiveness, rejecting calls to weaken such regulations. Meanwhile, the French competition authority reported record activity, imposing €1.4 billion in fines and reviewing 295 mergers in 2024, with a focus on digital markets and sustainability. Australia is also set to implement mandatory merger control by January 2026, moving away from its previous voluntary system, which may complicate future transactions. In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission and Justice Department affirmed their commitment to existing merger guidelines, reflecting a rare bipartisan consensus on antitrust enforcement. These changes highlight a global trend towards stricter oversight of mergers and an increased focus on innovation and market dynamics.