Sidley’s Antitrust and Competition Bulletin: U.S. and EU Authorities Signal Evolving Enforcement Priorities
Antitrust enforcement continues to evolve on both sides of the Atlantic, with regulators sharpening their focus on consumer pricing, merger oversight, and national security review. The July 2026 edition of Sidley’s Antitrust and Competition Bulletin highlights several recent developments that signal where enforcement priorities may be headed.
This issue covers the DOJ and FTC’s call for state Attorneys General to investigate potential anticompetitive practices affecting gasoline prices, the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Slaughter expanding presidential authority over FTC commissioners, the FTC’s $12 million HSR settlement, new guidance from the European Competition Network on merger call-in powers, and the EU’s adoption of updated foreign investment screening rules.
Click here to read the full bulletin for Sidley’s perspective on what these developments mean for businesses navigating antitrust compliance, M&A transactions, and an increasingly active global enforcement landscape.
June Antitrust and Competition Bulletin: Top-of-Mind Global Antitrust Issues
Recent antitrust developments offer important insights into evolving enforcement priorities on both sides of the Atlantic. This month’s roundup examines the appointment of Stanley Woodward to assume authority to act as Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ Antitrust Division, a leadership change that could influence the Division’s enforcement approach and decision making in the near term. The post also discusses the European Commission’s continued scrutiny of coordination among competitors through minority shareholdings, signaling ongoing concern with information sharing, governance rights, and other conduct that may facilitate anti-competitive behavior.
The update further explores the FTC’s views on merger remedies, recent healthcare merger enforcement actions, and growing regulatory attention to modern pricing practices. Read the full post for key takeaways on the latest antitrust enforcement trends and the compliance considerations they present for businesses.
DOJ Signals Increasing Scrutiny of Vertically Integrated Healthcare Companies
On May 19, 2026, Nicole Sarrine, Deputy Assistant Attorney General (DAAG) for Civil Conduct in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division, signaled increasing suspicion of vertically integrated companies in the healthcare sector in remarks delivered at the Transparency Rising 2026 National Forum.[1] (more…)
April Antitrust and Competition Bulletin: Top-of-Mind Global Antitrust Issues
Sidley’s global Antitrust and Competition team recently shared its perspectives on key antitrust issues currently top of mind—and why they matter for businesses. The April Antitrust and Competition Bulletin highlights continued scrutiny by the U.S. Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission of labor markets, including noncompete agreements and talent-focused transactions, as well as evolving enforcement approaches to information exchanges, as reflected in the DOJ’s recent statement in In re Turkey Antitrust Litigation. It also examines the growing willingness of state Attorneys General to act independently of federal enforcers, signaling an increasingly complex enforcement landscape. In addition, the team addresses notable international developments, including leadership changes at the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition and new guidance on the interplay between the Digital Markets Act and the General Data Protection Regulation. The Bulletin further explores how these developments may affect businesses.
Antitrust Crime Enforcement May Escalate Under New Chief
A recent speech by Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Daniel Glad signals that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division will continue actively pursuing criminal antitrust violations, with a focus on individual accountability and significant prison sentences as a deterrent. Glad also highlighted increased enforcement activity, the expanding role of the Procurement Collusion Strike Force, and the impact of the new antitrust whistleblower rewards program. Read the full article to learn more about what these developments could mean for companies and their compliance programs.
New U.S. DOJ Antitrust Leadership Signals More Criminal Prosecutions and Longer Prison Sentences
Two weeks after a leadership shakeup in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division, Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Enforcement Daniel W. Glad stressed in his first public remarks that the Division’s criminal enforcement program will remain highly active and that individuals involved in criminal antitrust offenses should continue to expect lengthy prison sentences. To drive home this message, Glad highlighted the fact that the Antitrust Division opened nearly 100 criminal investigations in FY 2025 and secured prison sentences that reflected more than a 1,200% increase in prison days imposed year-over-year. He cautioned that individuals who commit criminal antitrust offenses should “be aware that what’s on the line isn’t just a fine — it’s their … liberty.”
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Million-Dollar U.S. DOJ Antitrust Reward Underlines Broader and Growing Commitment to Incentivize Corporate Whistleblowers
Within seven months of announcing its groundbreaking monetary whistleblower awards program for individuals who report potential violations, on January 29, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division and the U.S. Postal Service announced the first whistleblower award under the Antitrust Whistleblower Rewards Program, paying $1 million to an individual whose information led to criminal enforcement action. (more…)
Whistleblower Rewards Continue to Grow: U.S. DOJ’s Antitrust Division Joins the Fray
On July 8, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Antitrust Division announced its partnership with the Postal Service to offer financial rewards to individuals who report violations of antitrust laws and related offenses affecting the Postal Service, its revenues, or its property.
