The analysis of mergers in the EU and UK is adapting to take account of a changed worldwide geo-political and trade context. But what does this mean in practice? Stuart Hudson, co-lead of Brunswick's global regulatory practice, joins Matthew Hall and James Hunsberger to discuss the European Commission's draft new EU Merger Guidelines and changes in the UK. Listen to this episode to learn more about what is in the draft EU guidelines, why the changes have been made, the UK's new approach, a prediction on EU/UK convergence or divergence and the risk of politicisation of merger control.

With special guest:
Stuart Hudson, co-lead global regulatory practice, Brunswick Group

Related Links:

• Stuart Hudson, "Six types of politicisation", 4 May 2026
• European Commission, Draft new EU Merger Guidelines, 30 April 2026
• UK Government, Strategic steer to the UK Competition and Markets Authority, 15 May 2025
• UK CMA, CMA launches review of its approach to merger efficiencies, 15 January 2026
• UK CMA, Merger remedies CMA87, 19 December 2025

Hosted by:
Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods and James Hunsberger, Axinn, Veltrop & Harkrider

The OECD's Competition Division carries out the organisation's work on worldwide competition law, policy and enforcement. But what does this mean in practice? Ori Schwartz, Head of the Competition Division, joins Matthew Hall to discuss the Division's activities. Listen to this episode to learn more about the Division's recent and upcoming focus areas.

With special guest:
Ori Schwartz, Head, OECD Competition Division

Related Links:
OECD Competition Division webpage

Hosted by:
Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods

What are the latest trends and developments in competition law enforcement in Ireland, Brazil, and Paraguay? Geoffrey Gray of the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), joins Lexi Michaud to discuss his agency's efforts to refine merger analysis and enhance competition in Ireland's taxi and ride-sharing sector. Brazilian CADE President Gustavo Augusto speaks with Matthew Hall about how his agency has been deploying AI to analyze market data and identify possible cartel activity. Finally, Eduardo Barros, President of Paraguay's CONACOM, talks to Alicia Downey about how his relatively young agency has been growing and successfully collaborating with other agencies. Listen to this episode to hear about how all three competition agencies are approaching competition law enforcement and advocacy in 2026.

With special guests:

• Geoffrey Gray, Commission Member, Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland
• Gustavo Augusto Freitas de Lima, President, Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), Brazil
• Eduardo Barros, President, CONACOM, Paraguay

Related Links:

• Ireland Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC)
• Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), Brazil
• Comisión Nacional de la Competencia (CONACOM), Paraguay
  
  

Hosted by:
Matthew Hall, McGuireWoods, Lexi Michaud, Fried Frank, and Alicia Downey, Downey Law