Answer ... The Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to stress the importance of its criminal enforcement programme. Nevertheless, there has been a marked decrease in fines imposed since 2016. This decrease has coincided with the conclusion of several significant investigations.

The most recent legislative reform to US cartel enforcement is the Antitrust Criminal Penalty Enhancement and Reform Act (ACPERA), which limits a successful amnesty applicant’s damages in follow-on private lawsuits when certain conditions are met. ACPERA will expire in 2020, unless it is reauthorised by Congress. Reauthorisation is probable.