Antitrust emergency: The Tipline for 19 March 2020

Competition may not always be the most efficient means of accomplishing a particular objective – in some instances, it may even sit on the sidelines when the government is chasing other policy goals. In an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump has invoked legislation originally designed to mobilise the production of military equipment during war. The Defense Production Act can be used to immunise certain forms of coordination between rivals.