Non-digital market concentration: Do we need new approaches to antitrust policy?
Past Event
On Wednesday, September 21, the Brookings Center on Regulation and Markets held an event to examine antitrust policy in non-digital industries. While digital markets have received outsized attention in recent years, market concentration in more traditional industries such as agricultural production, baby formula, and health care has come under increasing criticism. When high concentration reflects a lack of competition, outcomes may include higher prices and less choice for consumers, and possible supply chain bottlenecks that impede the availability of critical products.
Timothy Wu, special assistant to the president for technology and competition policy, shared his thoughts on the Biden administration’s current antitrust policies. Following Wu’s remarks, a panel of former antitrust regulators—Brookings Visiting Fellow Bill Baer, Edith Ramirez of Hogan Lovells, and Howard Shelanski of David Polk & Wardwell and Georgetown—shared their reactions and thoughts on antitrust policy in non-digital markets.
Viewers submitted questions for speakers in advance via email at events@brookings.edu and followed along with the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #Antitrust.
Agenda
Welcome
Sanjay Patnaik
Director - Center on Regulation and Markets
Bernard L. Schwartz Chair in Economic Policy Development
Fellow - Economic Studies
Opening remarks
Stephanie Aaronson
Senior Associate Director, Division of Research and Statistics - Federal Reserve Board
Keynote and Q&A
Tim Wu
Special Assistant to the President for Technology and Competition Policy - White House National Economic Council (NEC)
Panel discussion
Nancy L. Rose
Charles P. Kindleberger Professor of Applied Economics - Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bill Baer
Visiting Fellow - Governance Studies
Former Director of the Bureau of Competition - Federal Trade Commission
Former Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division - U.S. Department of Justice
Howard Shelanski
Professor of Law - Georgetown University
Partner - Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Former Administrator - Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
More Information
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