Perspectives on Industrial Policy: An Interview with Reiko Aoki
Recently, we’ve seen renewed global interest in industrial policy. From your perspective, what are some of the key drivers behind this resurgence? And how does it differ from previous industrial-policy approaches, particularly in Japan? Today’s industrial policies are closely tied to security concerns. National security, in particular, has always required some form of government coordination, ... Perspectives on Industrial Policy: An Interview with Reiko Aoki
Industrial Policy and Antitrust: A Crossroads of U.S. Competitiveness
Antitrust policy in the United States generally doesn’t experience immediate dramatic revision with each new administration, and it’s unlikely that this time will be different. With that said, I would hope that the new administration will take a close look at recent enforcement policy, particularly regarding “Big Tech,” where there’s a concerning trend toward what ... Industrial Policy and Antitrust: A Crossroads of U.S. Competitiveness
Perspectives on Industrial Policy: An Interview with Alden Abbott
From a broad perspective, could you provide us with an overview of the current global trend toward the implementation of industrial policy? In your opinion, what are the primary drivers behind the shift? Industrial policy has long been present in various forms, often manifesting as ad-hoc interventions and subsidies that affect market processes. What we’re ... Perspectives on Industrial Policy: An Interview with Alden Abbott
Perspectives on Industrial Policy: An Interview with Scott Lincicome
From a broad perspective, could you provide us an overview of the current trends toward implementing industrial policy? It’s important to note that the United States has always had some level of industrial policy, which we define as targeted government interventions to correct perceived market failures in the manufacturing sector. Essentially, that the market isn’t ... Perspectives on Industrial Policy: An Interview with Scott Lincicome
Perspectives on Industrial Policy: An Interview with Peter Craddock
You had a recent post on LinkedIn that offered a critical analysis of the European Data Protection Board’s (EDPB) August 2024 consent-or-pay opinion, highlighting concerns about its effects on the freedom to conduct business. The decision was part of a larger context of developments in the European Union that, at least in the United States, ... Perspectives on Industrial Policy: An Interview with Peter Craddock
Launching a Conversation: Insights on Industrial Policy
We are excited to announce the launch of “Perspectives on Industrial Policy,” a new Truth on the Market symposium intended to gather insights from leading experts in economics, law, and public policy. This series aims to explore the promises and pitfalls of industrial policy at a time when it occupies a central role in political ... Launching a Conversation: Insights on Industrial Policy
A Response to Gus on Our New FTC Overlords
Gus Hurwitz’s closing post in this symposium was a very cogent and persuasive (albeit overly optimistic) take on the current state of antitrust enforcement. I hesitate to quibble with my intellectual superior, but on some points I have a slightly different take. Gus says that law should be made through legislation or litigation, and obviously ... A Response to Gus on Our New FTC Overlords
I, For One, Welcome Our New FTC Overlords
In this post—the last planned post for this symposium on The FTC’s New Normal (though we will continue to accept unsolicited submissions of responses)—I will offer some summary of the ideas that have been shared here over the past month, before turning to some of my own thoughts. To keep your attention rapt, I will ... I, For One, Welcome Our New FTC Overlords
The Changing Role of Structural Presumption at the Federal Trade Commission
The draft merger guidelines that were released July 19 by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) indicate a shift by the agencies toward an overreliance on structural market factors to trigger merger scrutiny. For example, Draft Guideline 1—titled “Mergers Should Not Significantly Increase Concentration in Highly Concentrated Markets”—would lower the bar ... The Changing Role of Structural Presumption at the Federal Trade Commission
Abby Normal, a Flood of Ill-Considered Withdrawals, and the FTC’s Theatre of Listening
What will become of our culture if we forget the classics? Two bits seem salient here, would that either were my own. Dr. Frankenstein: Now, that brain you gave me. Was it Hans Delbruck’s? Igor: … [pause] … No. Dr. Frankenstein: Ah! Very good. Would you mind telling me whose brain I did put in? ... Abby Normal, a Flood of Ill-Considered Withdrawals, and the FTC’s Theatre of Listening
The FTC’s (and DOJ’s) Merger Aversion
There is mounting evidence that both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Justice Department’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division (DOJ) are, under their current leadership, hostile to mergers. There are multiple elements to this evidence. Draft Merger Guidelines The recently released draft merger guidelines provide a strong indication of the agencies’ general aversion to mergers. ... The FTC’s (and DOJ’s) Merger Aversion
An FTC Complaint Against Amazon Gets Personal
There is much in the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) record over the past two years that could be categorized as abnormal. There is, for instance, nothing “normal” about using the threat of excessive force to cower businesses into submission. Introducing sky high costs for the filing of mergers isn’t normal, as it will scare away ... An FTC Complaint Against Amazon Gets Personal
