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US: Wright said under consideration as Trump’s Antitrust Chief

By  |  January 19, 2017

The Trump team is considering giving a top antitrust post to a former US trade commissioner whose hands-off views on competition have at times failed to withstand court scrutiny.

Joshua Wright, a conservative law professor who heads President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team for the Federal Trade Commission, is under consideration to lead the Justice Department’s antitrust division, two people with knowledge of the deliberations said. Others may also still be in the running.

The post would give Wright oversight of corporate mergers. A Republican who served as an FTC commissioner from 2013 to 2015, Wright promotes a laissez-faire approach to antitrust enforcement and has been outspoken about how consolidation can benefit consumers. He’s also a strong advocate for using economic analysis to inform enforcement decisions.

The president-elect met with Wright on Monday, Trump spokesman Sean Spicer said. Wright declined to comment about being under consideration for the position. If nominated, he would have to be approved by the Republican-controlled Senate.

Full Content: Bloomberg

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