Business & Finance
DOJ reportedly pauses antitrust work with Canada, but agency disputes claim
Internal emails reportedly indicate a halt to bilateral antitrust cooperation, though officials deny any blanket order.
The short version
- Internal emails reportedly directed the DOJ antitrust division to pause case cooperation and policy engagement with Canadian authorities.[Fox News]
- The Justice Department disputed the report, maintaining that no broad freeze occurred and that only a single meeting was delayed.[Fox News]
- The disagreement surfaces during severe trade friction, with Canada preparing dollar-for-dollar retaliatory tariffs scheduled for September 8 following U.S. levies.[Fox News]
Key facts
- Internal emails indicated the international section chief instructed antitrust staff to halt case cooperation and policy work with Canadian authorities.[Fox News]
- The DOJ stated that no directive to halt broad cooperation was ever issued and characterized the pause as a single meeting delay for preparation.[Fox News]
- Antitrust section chiefs were requested to provide lists detailing active areas of collaboration with Canada.[Fox News]
- The U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion of Canadian products the previous month, prompting Canada to plan reciprocal tariffs starting September 8.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- Whether the Justice Department enacted an agency-wide halt on Canadian antitrust cooperation or solely postponed an individual case meeting remains disputed.[Fox News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.