ICLE Statement on the FTC’s Amazon Case
PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 26, 2023) – With the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 17 state attorneys general announcing today that they have filed a major antitrust action in U.S. District Court in Seattle targeting Amazon, the following statement can be attributed to International Center for Law & Economics (ICLE) President and Founder Geoffrey A. Manne:
Lina Khan and her agency have been looking into Amazon for a long time, so today’s move was expected. What was less expected is the sheer breadth of the suit, and the far-reaching remedies that are being demanded. These extreme demands greatly undermine the chances that the agency will prevail in court.
If successful, the FTC’s suit could profoundly undermine central features of the Amazon retail platform. This is the case for Amazon’s Prime program and its logistics network, as well as Amazon’s house brands, all of which are all essential to maintaining low prices for consumers.
In short, the case could greatly harm consumers, all in an attempt to shift the course of U.S. antitrust policy against the will of Congress and the courts.
To schedule an interview with Geoffrey or other ICLE scholars about the Amazon case, contact ICLE Media and Communications Manager Elizabeth Lincicome at [email protected] or (919) 744-8087.