Wall Street has reacted positively to Trump’s recent victory, anticipating a change in leadership at the FTC.
Lina Khan’s time as chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is predicted to be nearing its end. With Donald Trump set to retake the presidency, he is likely to fire Khan, a strong opponent of industry consolidation, which benefits billionaire executives.
While easing regulations may benefit corporate leaders, the impact on consumers and workers is less clear. Jennifer Rie, a senior antitrust litigation analyst noted, “Once Khan is replaced and the commission shifts to a Republican majority, we can expect changes that favor businesses, though they may not help consumers.”
The FTC, led by Khan, has blocked several large corporate deals and mergers because they believe that increased consolidation harms competition, enabling companies to raise prices and exploit workers. This was the basis for the FTC’s lawsuit against the $25 billion merger of Kroger and Albertsons earlier this year. The agency has also targeted major companies in technology and pharmaceuticals, to keep competition strong.
Gail Slater is tipped to replace Linda Kahn as FTC chair.
By CEO NA Editorial Staff
