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.
EU Forced Labor Regulation Moves Toward Implementation: How Companies Should Prepare
On June 26, 2026, the European Commission (Commission) published its long-awaited guidelines on the Forced Labor Regulation (FLR). The FLR, which entered into force in December 2024 (see Sidley Update of December 2024) and will apply in full from December 14, 2027, introduces a broad ban on products made, wholly or partly, with forced labor at any stage of the supply chain, regardless of product type, sector, or origin.
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.
