Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce welcomes a report issued today by an independent group of experts it commissioned to consider U.S. responses to the inappropriate use of antitrust enforcement actions worldwide to achieve industrial policy outcomes. In preparing the report, the group drew upon its members’ decades of experience in competition, trade, and economic policy in deliberations independent of the Chamber.
“The Chamber thanks those who led and served on the expert group,” said U.S. Chamber Executive Vice President and Head of International Affairs Myron Brilliant. “We deeply appreciate the time, thought, and effort that went into this examination of the interface between competition policy and trade policy. We look forward to discussing its recommendations with our members, the administration, and Congress.”
“The United States has long supported the use of antitrust law to promote competitive markets that drive economic development and prosperity,” said Deborah Garza, competition law co-chair for the expert group. “But there is legitimate concern that some countries may be using their competition laws to distort competition and to favor their own interests at the expense of U.S. companies and global prosperity. The recommendations of this bipartisan group are intended to help the Administration and Congress deal more effectively with this threat to consumer welfare and economic development.”
“Trade and competition policy are generally aligned to achieve open and competitive markets, but U.S. agencies have not always coordinated effectively,” said Andy Shoyer, the international trade law co-chair for the expert group. “As antitrust enforcement itself can become a market distortion, our group wanted to make sure that U.S. agencies have the tools they need to address that challenge.”
The Chamber will hold a program on April 10 with members of the experts group to discuss the report and its conclusions. The report is available here.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 70 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The U.S. Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.
