US/China: Ministry of Commerce’s amicus arguments to be heard in China-US face-off
Last week, the US Supreme Court granted an extremely unusual motion by China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), allowing the ministry to present oral argument on April 24, when the justices hear a big antitrust case by US Vitamin C purchasers suing Chinese vitamin makers accused of price-rigging, reported Reuters.
The Chinese government and manufacturers have long insisted that the cartel was simply following Chinese trade law according to Reuters. But China is not actually named in the case. MOFCOM had to ask the Supreme Court for permission to argue as an amicus for members of the cartel, who backed the motion calling for them to divide their time with the Chinese government.
The justices’ decision to hear from China’s lawyer, Carter Phillips of Sidley Austin, sets up a fascinating dynamic, because the Supreme Court will also hear arguments from the US Justice Department, which has sided with the US companies suing Chinese Vitamin C makers. In the same order granting permission for the Chinese government to present arguments, the Supreme Court also gave time to the solicitor general’s office to argue against China.
The Supreme Court, in other words, is about to host a direct confrontation between representatives from the Chinese and US governments over a Chinese trade policy the US considers controversial.
Full Content: Reuters
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
Biden Administration Supports Antitrust Suit Against FIFA
Mar 18, 2024 by
CPI
Apple in Talks to Incorporate Google’s Gemini AI Amid Antitrust Scrutiny
Mar 18, 2024 by
CPI
Appeals Court Revives Regeneron’s Antitrust Lawsuit Against Novartis Over Vision Treatment
Mar 18, 2024 by
CPI
Apple Responds to Criticism Over EU’s Digital Markets Act Compliance
Mar 18, 2024 by
CPI
Turkey Imposes Interim Measures on Meta Platforms
Mar 18, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Pricing Algorithms
Feb 28, 2024 by
CPI
Pricing Algorithms and Antitrust Enforcement: Sandboxes to the Rescue?
Feb 28, 2024 by
CPI
AI, Algorithmic Pricing, and Collusion
Feb 28, 2024 by
CPI
Competition & Collusion in a World of Algorithmic Pricing: Antitrust Risks & Enforcement Trends
Feb 28, 2024 by
CPI
Pricing Algorithms in Antitrust’s Sights?
Feb 28, 2024 by
CPI