Florence Competition Programme : second annual conference : anti-trust v. anti-globalisation

Abstract

On 20th – 21st October 2017, the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS) hosted the second Annual Conference of the Florence Competition Programme (FCP) at the European University Institute (EUI) campus in Florence. The event was organised in cooperation with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The conference discussed the future of competition policy in light of the growing anti-globalisation and populist political movements around the world. The event was opened with a keynote speech that was delivered by Kris Dekeyser, Director for Policy and Strategy of DG Competition of the European Commission. The conference was divided into four panels which dealt respectively with i) Private enforcement of competition law after Brexit; ii) State aid law enforcement after Brexit; iii) US antitrust enforcement under the Trump administration; and iv) Anti-globalisation and the future of antitrust enforcement around the world. The event gathered different stakeholders, including competition enforcers as well as representatives from academia, industry, law and economic consulting firms. The diversity of views ensured a lively debate. This Policy Brief summarizes the main points raised during the discussion and seeks to stimulate further debate.