Trump Launches Broad Crackdown on Possible Food-Sector Collusion
New Task Force to Target Anti-Competitive Behavior, Foreign Control Risks Across Supply Chain
President Donald Trump on Saturday directed the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to open a sweeping investigation into potential price fixing and anti-competitive practices across the U.S. food supply chain — from meat to seeds to fertilizer — amid public frustration over rising grocery costs.
Under a new executive order (link), the agencies must form a dedicated task force to probe whether companies, including foreign-owned firms, have manipulated markets or gained excessive control in ways that threaten competition or even national security.
The move expands on Trump’s earlier order targeting the meatpacking sector, where he blamed “majority foreign owned” processors for driving up beef prices. The broader inquiry reflects growing political pressure after Democrats capitalized on voter anger over inflation in several key November elections.
The administration says the probe is designed to determine whether consolidation and foreign influence are distorting prices across multiple agricultural industries — and whether new enforcement actions or policy changes are warranted.
