Competition in the Beverage Alcohol Industry Under the Microscope – Part 2

Activity and chatter around President Biden’s executive order on competition continues to grow.[i] As you recall, of the 72 action items in the executive order (EO), two involve alcohol beverages.[ii] Essentially, the first covers consolidation in the industry at all tiers and the second covers whether the current unfair trade practice rules impede or pose obstacles for new entrants into the tiers. The Treasury Department is tasked with submitting a report on consolidation to the White House within 120 days from the date of the EO and Treasury and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) are tasked with submitting a report on unfair trade practices within 240 days. Consultation with the Federal Trade Commission and the Antitrust Division of the Justice Department is required.

by Robert M. Tobiassen · source ↗