Merger control amid geopolitical shifts and antitrust scrutiny

In a recent post, we shared details of the 2026 edition of Panoramic: Merger Control. This comprehensive guide continues to cover the basic principles of merger regulation in 58 jurisdictions worldwide, as it has done for the 30 years over which Freshfields has collaborated on it with Law Business Research. In this blog, we draw your attention to our opening chapter, which presents an overview of merger control developments amid geopolitical shifts and increased antitrust scrutiny.

Following widespread national elections in 2024, merger control regimes worldwide are experiencing a period of significant transformation driven by geopolitical tendencies, evolving antitrust priorities, and increased regulatory scrutiny. Authorities are increasingly viewing mergers through a political or protectionist lens, favouring transactions strongly aligned with national interests and deploying tools like call-in powers to tackle potentially harmful mergers. Regulatory complexity in the broad sense is rising, making it even so challenging for businesses to navigate cross-border transactions.

In Europe, European Commission leadership changes and a renewed policy mission are at the heart of a comprehensive review of merger guidelines, with particular focus on stimulating economic growth, innovation, and resilience against geopolitical threats. A similar shift is evident in the United Kingdom and the United States, where new leadership is reassessing merger remedies and considering the wider benefits of deals, including economic and innovation impacts. At the same time, there appears to be a revival of behavioural remedies to align with these overarching goals, while potentially harmful mergers are subjected to tough regulatory scrutiny and intervention (even when they fall below notification thresholds, in the first instance).

The global landscape for mergers and acquisitions has become increasingly unpredictable, as priorities and focus areas shift. In “Merger control amid geopolitical shifts and antitrust scrutiny”, we explore this in more detail, with particular focus on insights contributed from Freshfields lawyers from across the globe. You can read it here.

Please get in touch to request access to the 2026 edition of Panoramic: Merger Control.