American regulators are adopting a tougher stance on technology mergers and acquisitions. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have signalled stricter reviews, particularly for deals involving AI, cloud, and semiconductor companies. Officials argue that unchecked consolidation risks stifling innovation and raising barriers for new entrants.

Recent high-profile cases, such as investigations into Microsoft’s cloud partnerships and NVIDIA’s attempted acquisition of Arm, illustrate the heightened scrutiny. Regulators are increasingly concerned that dominant firms could leverage acquisitions to extend their market control in critical technologies.

While proponents argue that this approach preserves competition, critics worry it may slow down innovation by discouraging investment and cross-border partnerships. The debate underscores the tension between promoting growth and preventing monopolistic behaviour in fast-moving tech sectors.