Markets Wired

Leaders of the antitrust agencies of the United States participated this past week in bilateral meetings in Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, Korea. Commissioner Christine S. Wilson of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, together with Deputy Assistant Attorneys General Roger Alford and Richard Powers of the U.S. Department of Justice, participated in high-level meetings with Chairman Kazuyuki Sugimoto and other senior officials from the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) on April 25 and with senior officials from the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) on April 26. Commissioner Wilson met separately with officials from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry regarding technology and digital platforms.

The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including recent enforcement developments, antitrust policy, digital markets, and international cooperation, as well as the new Framework on Competition Agency Procedures (CAP) adopted by the International Competition Network (ICN) earlier this month. The purpose of the meetings was to reinforce ties of cooperation in light of the increasing internationalization of antitrust enforcement.

“Our meetings with the JFTC and KFTC reflect the continued importance of developing broad and deep relationships with antitrust enforcers around the world,” said Commissioner Wilson. “We welcome the opportunity to have exchanges with our counterpart agencies in Japan and Korea on important issues, including competition in the high tech arena, that are the subject of national and international debate.”

“These bilateral meetings are a testament to the depth and strength of our relationships with our global partners, and our joint interest in sound antitrust enforcement,” said Deputy Assistant Attorney General Roger Alford. “Given the importance of our economic ties with Japan and Korea and our shared interests in consumer welfare and robust competition, we are fortunate to have such close and productive relationships with both the JFTC and the KFTC.”

Commissioner Wilson and Deputy Assistant Attorneys General Alford and Powers also participated in roundtable briefings at the American Chambers of Commerce in Japan and Korea. Deputy Assistant Attorneys General Alford and Powers also met separately with officials from Korea’s Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Prosecutor’s Office regarding cartel enforcement.

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