The national and economic security intersection in competition policy
The role of competition policy continues to evolve at pace in 2026, shaped by an increasingly fragmented global order in which geopolitical rivalry, economic nationalism, and strategic competition have become defining features of the regulatory landscape. What began as a period of adjustment has hardened into a new normal. Across key jurisdictions, the integration of competition policy with broader strategic imperatives like national security, economic resilience, industrial strategy and technological sovereignty is deepening. Regulators in the UK, EU, and US are each responding in ways that reflect their own political priorities and risk appetites raising questions about the coherence of the international competition order.
These tensions are acutely felt across a range of critical domains. FDI screening and merger control are increasingly shaped by alliance politics and security considerations, raising questions about proportionality, predictability and the integrity of non-discrimination norms. Consumer protection frameworks are being stress-tested by the rapid advance of AI and digital markets, with regulators deploying new tools to address AI-enabled anti-competitive practices and accelerate enforcement. In the defence sector, expanding national security carve-outs are prompting difficult questions about where legitimate security interests end and competitive distortion begins. And in the technology space, the ongoing review of the EU’s Digital Markets Act and the evolution of the CMA’s approach to digital regulation are reshaping the relationship between regulators and the industry’s largest players.
This year’s conference, hosted in person at Chatham House and held under the Chatham House Rule, brings together regulators, policymakers, business leaders, and legal practitioners to examine how competition frameworks are adapting to a world in which the boundaries between market governance, industrial strategy, and geopolitical competition are increasingly blurred.
Why attend?
- Explore how competition authorities, governments and businesses are responding to a world in which merger control, investment screening, industrial strategy and geopolitical competition are becoming increasingly interconnected.
- Gain insights into evolving approaches across the UK, EU and US, from revised merger guidelines and FDI screening to the growing influence of strategic competition on regulatory decision-making.
- Hear from regulators, legal experts and industry leaders on Article 102 reform, digital market regulation, AI governance and the challenges of balancing innovation, competition and consumer protection.
- Connect with senior decision-makers and practitioners to discuss how organizations can navigate an increasingly fragmented and politically complex global competition landscape.
By registering for this event, attendees agree to our code of conduct, ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming space for diverse perspectives and debate.
