Trump task force to identify potential price fixing in meat industry

President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order establishing food supply chain security task forces to work with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to identify potential price fixing and anti-competitive behavior in the meat industry.

“My administration will act to determine whether anti-competitive behavior, especially by foreign-controlled companies, increases the cost of living for Americans and address any associated national security threat to food supply chains,” Trump said in the order.

Another section addressed how the DOJ would investigate food-related industries for federal law violations, while the FTC would examine potential unfair competition, each within their respective areas of expertise, to determine whether anti-competitive behavior exists in the US food supply chain.

“The attorney general and the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission shall take such actions as are necessary to remedy any anti-competitive behavior that their respective investigations uncover, including bringing enforcement actions and proposing new regulatory approaches,” Trump added in the order.

In November, Trump called on the DOJ to investigate and made accusations that meat companies are raising beef prices.