The EU and Global Competition Policy

Abstract

Since the 1980s, grappling with external aspects has become a priority in the European Union’s (EU) strategy for competition policy (Aydin 2012, 667). As a result of the economic and political changes associated with globalization (see Chapter 1), the defining feature of this strategy is now the promotion of international cooperation and convergence among national competition policies. Notwithstanding the criticism that globalization can lead to a ‘race to the bottom’ in regulations, the EU’s efforts in competition policy suggest that governments can also rise to the challenge and agree on ways to pursue more stringent rules. Indeed, the EU’s promotion of cooperation and convergence in Level I negotiations over competition policy tells this tale.