Antitrust enforcement is about to change as President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Andrew Ferguson as the new chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Ferguson will replace Lina Khan, whose tenure at the FTC was marked by her aggressive approach towards alleged anticompetitive behavior among corporate giants. This change of leadership is likely to shift the FTC’s approach towards a more business-friendly approach.
Meet Andrew Ferguson
Andrew Ferguson is no stranger to the FTC. He’s already one of its five commissioners, and his appointment as chair signals a shift in the agency’s approach. Trump praised Ferguson for his efforts to combat Big Tech censorship and protect freedom of speech.
Trump stated on Truth Social, “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country…Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.”
A Lighter Touch on Antitrust Enforcement
Under Khan’s leadership, the FTC sued Amazon and Meta, blocked billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions, and alleged anticompetitive behavior. However, with Ferguson at the helm, the FTC is expected to take a softer approach towards antitrust enforcement.
One immediate change expected is the appointment of new directors for the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. This change of leadership will likely make the FTC more favorable to businesses, a departure from its stance in recent years.
What this Means for Businesses
Consumer protection attorney Anthony DiResta suggests that this shift in leadership will probably make the FTC more business-friendly. In a recent analysis, DiResta wrote, “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined.”
As Ferguson takes the reins, businesses and consumers alike will be watching closely to see how this new direction unfolds. While it’s too early to predict exactly how this will affect the landscape of antitrust enforcement, it’s clear that change is on the horizon.
In conclusion, the appointment of Andrew Ferguson as the chair of the FTC signals a likely shift in the agency’s approach towards antitrust enforcement. While the full impact of this change remains to be seen, businesses can likely expect a more favorable stance from the FTC in the near future. As such, this change in leadership is a development worth keeping an eye on for anyone interested in antitrust enforcement and business regulation.
