How does antitrust law affect international trade?

Antitrust law affects international trade by ensuring fair competition and promoting open markets. Antitrust law is a set of rules that protect consumers from businesses monopolizing a market or creating unfair pricing practices. In Washington, antitrust law is mainly enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). When a company begins to monopolize a market or manipulate prices, they can be accused of violating antitrust laws. This can affect international trade because it creates the potential for unfair competition and could eventually lead to either higher prices in the states or a lack of availability of imported goods that would have been cheaper due to competition. Large companies with international reach have been known to abuse their power by creating agreements with their competitors to control supply and prices, limiting competition. This is known as price-fixing and is illegal under antitrust law. When an agreement like this is made between companies abroad, it affects the U.S. market and can lead to higher prices for consumers. In addition to protecting U.S. consumers from unfair practices, antitrust law also helps to promote free trade. This is done by preventing large, powerful companies from restricting supply and hurting smaller companies that may be participating in international trade. Antitrust laws in Washington and other countries are in place to ensure fair competition and open markets, allowing businesses of all sizes to thrive.

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