Competition authorities worldwide are reassessing how merger control should operate in a period marked by geopolitical uncertainty, supply chain fragility and rapid technological change. Beyond traditional theories of harm, agencies increasingly consider how transactions affect resilience, scale and innovation pathways, alongside the classic assessment of price and quality effects. Political sensitivities, security concerns and other non-competition factors (and instruments such as FDI laws) may impact the analysis. New enforcement practices and guidelines (in particular, the forthcoming EU new guidelines) will reshape how merger control analysis takes place in this new era.

This panel will explore how these factors are taken into account in merger reviews both from a regulator’s perspective, but also through practical tips by practitioners and companies that are grappling with these issues in deal making.