”Antitrust Code” is a podcast series that aims to decode antitrust law and policy. Concurrences guests discuss the latest news and topical issues in competition law and economics around the world.
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Friday Feb 20, 2026
Friday Feb 20, 2026
In this new episode, Mark R. Meador (U.S Federal Trade Commission) gave a keynote speech during the Tech Antitrust Conference that occurred in Palo Alto on the 15th of January 2026.
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Key takeaways of Mark Meador speech Innovation and Antitrust: Bridging the Silicon Valley–Washington Divide
- Both DC and Silicon Valley operate within their own “bubbles,” which creates mutual misunderstanding and leads each side to see the other as either obstructionist or naïve.
- The debate is often reduced to a false binary of regulation versus innovation, instead of evaluating each case on its merits.
- Not all regulation is harmful and not all innovation is beneficial, so the focus should be on distinguishing wise innovations from harmful ones.
- Technology’s promise has not always translated into societal benefit, as the internet democratized knowledge but much of its use has become passive consumption (e.g., short-form video).
- AI represents a pivotal inflection point, with the potential to drive breakthroughs in medicine, science, and defense or to deepen social harm and mistrust if left unchecked.
- Antitrust enforcement is crucial because competitive markets drive better innovation and prevent the concentration of power that undermines consumer welfare.
- Acqui-hire practices pose a real competitive threat, as large firms may acquire startups primarily to commandeer talent and reduce competition, creating “buy and kill” dynamics.
- Antitrust law is not outdated—its principles remain applicable, but the challenge is applying them effectively in real-time with modern market data and economic insights.
- Enforcement must follow “regular order,” with predictable, fair, and transparent processes to avoid politicized or arbitrary enforcement.
- The shared mission is serving the American public, and both regulators and tech companies must build trust and show how their actions benefit ordinary people, not just elites.
DOCUMENTATION
Justin P. Murphy, Trump 2.0 : What to expect in antitrust enforcement, 4 February 2025
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