LCF26 | One deal, many regulators: managing expanding global regulatory scrutiny in cross-border M&A

LCF26 | One deal, many regulators: managing expanding global regulatory scrutiny in cross-border M&A

🎙 Lear - Economic Consultancy 👥 300 📅 October 2, 2026 ⏱ 53 min 👁 46 📄 debate 🧭 2026-10-15
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

merger controlFDI screeningForeign Subsidies Regulationmulti-jurisdictional coordinationregulatory risk

Summary

The video is a panel discussion on the increasing regulatory complexity in cross-border M&A transactions. Moderated by Melissa Ketska, the panel includes Cinciana Young (counsel at Linklaters), Alexi PTOI (partner at Asters), and Francesco Carlotte Galetti (CEO of Policy Sonar). They discuss how deals once requiring only simple merger control now face a web of regimes including FDI screening, foreign subsidies regulation, and sector-specific rules. Cinciana highlights the proliferation of call-in powers and low thresholds, leading to unexpected filings, such as for ladies’ shoes in Romania or AI-based targets in Bulgaria. Francesco shares Italian experiences, noting the political and discretionary nature of golden power and examples like the Microtecnica and Pirelli cases, where engagement with authorities is critical. Alexi offers Ukrainian perspectives, where low thresholds and opaque practices delay deals, with examples of authorities using merger cases for other purposes. The panel emphasizes early and comprehensive planning, including seller cooperation, information gathering, and coordination across jurisdictions. They stress that regulatory concerns now determine deal outcomes, requiring robust pre-deal engagement and consideration of political dynamics. The discussion concludes with practical advice on managing these complexities.

184 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The discussion provides valuable practical insights into the evolving regulatory environment for cross-border M&A. The panelists, with their extensive experience, illustrate real-world cases that demonstrate the unpredictability and political dimensions of regulatory review. Arguments are supported by concrete examples, such as the Microtecnica and Pirelli cases in Italy and various Ukrainian experiences, which strengthen the credibility of their claims. The reasoning is logical and consistent, highlighting the shift from mechanical threshold checks to discretionary, multi-faceted assessments. The panel effectively argues that proactive engagement, early planning, and comprehensive information gathering are essential for deal success.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The title accurately captures the core theme of the discussion: one deal now involves multiple regulators with different objectives. The content aligns well with this, focusing on merger control, FDI, and FSR challenges. While the panelists cite specific cases and legal regimes, they do not provide direct sources or citations. The discussion is based on professional experience, which lends credibility, but lacks verifiable references. The absence of URLs or detailed legal citations limits its use as a rigorous academic source. However, the consistency with known regulatory trends and the expertise of the speakers enhance reliability. No public comments were provided for analysis.

211 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the panel's focus on multi-jurisdictional regulatory challenges in M&A.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

Panel of experienced legal and policy professionals sharing practical insights; consistent with known regulatory trends, but no citations or verifiable sources provided.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • ECJ Volkswagen ruling (2008) — Referenced by Francesco as a catalyst for changes in EU FDI regimes.
  • Microtecnica case — Example of Italian golden power use – discussed by Francesco.
  • Pirelli case — Illustrates US-Italy coordination on restricting Chinese shareholder rights.

Contribution & Novelties

The video contributes original perspectives on the practical challenges of handling parallel regulatory reviews in M&A, particularly through the lens of non-key jurisdictions like Ukraine and Italy. It emphasizes the need for early engagement and information gathering, often underestimated by deal teams. The panelists provide first-hand accounts of how political and discretionary factors influence decisions, adding depth to the commonly described legal framework.

Pour aller plus loin :

106 words

Radar Profile

The scores suggest a balanced profile with strong information quantity and quality, moderate technical depth, and high reliability. The panel discussion offers practical insights without being overly technical, making it valuable for professionals and informed observers.

Reliability 8/10