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US: Trump’s antitrust nominee raises concerns over vertical mergers

By  |  May 30, 2017

Makan Delrahim, whose confirmation for assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division is expected this week, said he would keep a close watch on possible mergers of major telecommunications companies such as AT&T and Time Warner.

“Antitrust has a vital role to play in the high-tech, e-commerce economy to protect consumers. Actions by firms that threaten competition in the high-tech, e-commerce economy, whether by merger or conduct, should be investigated and pursued if the investigation uncovers an antitrust law violation,” Delrahim said in written responses to senators after his confirmation hearing earlier in May, according to Axios.

Executives and investors are watching Delrahim’s confirmation process closely to see how he plans to view major mergers, Axios reported.

The antitrust division oversees corporate mergers, and is reviewing potentially major merger plans including Dow and Dupont, as well as Bayer and Monsanto. AT&T’s plan to buy Time Warner also is under review.

Full Content: Axios

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