Trump 1.0 was as tough on M&A as Biden. Trump 2.0 may not be different.
Published On Nov 12, 2024, 4:00 AM
The article discusses expectations around mergers and acquisitions (M&A) under a potential second Trump administration. Although the business community anticipates a more relaxed approach to M&A regulation, historical data suggests that Trump was just as tough as Biden on enforcing antitrust laws. Under Trump's first term, there were high levels of merger enforcement actions, and experts expect continued scrutiny, albeit with a focus on negotiations rather than litigation. Predictable changes in leadership within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could impact this landscape, but major tech companies like Google and Apple may still face significant regulatory pressure. Overall, investors may need to temper their expectations regarding a 'deregulated' M&A environment under Trump 2.0.