TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission (FTC, 公平會) nominees faced legislative questioning on Monday (Dec. 30) following their decision last week to block a merger between Uber Eats (優步外送) and foodpanda (熊貓外送). FTC chairman assured that existing fair trade laws could address any abuse of market power.
The commission, consisting of seven members, will see the terms of four members expire at the end of January 2025. The Executive Yuan (行政院) has nominated Chairwoman Lee Mei (李鎂), Vice Chair Chen Chih-min (陳志民), and Commissioner Hung Tsai-lung (洪財隆) for reappointment. Lin Ching-tang (林慶堂), the head of the commission's service competition department, has been nominated as a new member.
Concerns have arisen that if foodpanda exits Taiwan due to its parent company's financial struggles, Uber Eats could become a de facto monopoly. The nominees attended legislative hearings in the morning and afternoon to discuss economic and judicial matters.
The FTC prohibited the merger of Uber Eats and foodpanda last Wednesday, citing concerns that the combined entity would control over 90% of the market. Vice Chair Chen explained that the merger's potential harm to competition outweighed its economic benefits and that corrective measures could not ensure sustained competition.
