Addressing Security Risks from Price Fixing and Anti-Competitive Behavior in the Food Supply Chain
This Presidential Action establishes Food Supply Chain Security Task Forces within the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate anti-competitive behavior, including price fixing, and assess risks posed by foreign control over U.S. food-related industries.
The initiative aims to ensure an affordable and secure food supply by empowering these agencies to take necessary enforcement actions, initiate criminal proceedings if appropriate, and brief Congress on progress and potential legislative recommendations within 180 and 365 days of issuance.
Arguments For
Ensuring national and economic security by protecting the stability and affordability of the American food supply against threats like anti-competitive behavior and price fixing.
Directing expert agencies (DOJ and FTC) to investigate specific vulnerabilities in key food sectors (meat processing, seed, fertilizer, equipment), potentially uncovering illegal activities that harm consumers.
Authorizing the Attorney General to commence criminal proceedings if evidence of criminal collusion is found, reinforcing the rule of law in the marketplace.
Mandating accountability through required progress briefings to Congressional leadership on investigative findings and potential legislative recommendations.
Arguments Against
Potential for increased regulatory burden and compliance costs on food supply chain businesses, particularly if new regulations are proposed based on task force findings.
Concerns regarding the scope of investigations, as broad mandates for antitrust review could inadvertently stifle legitimate business consolidation or efficiency improvements necessary for modern supply chains.
The directive places emphasis on foreign-controlled corporations, which could lead to protectionist measures or trade disputes if actions are perceived as targeting specific international investments without clear evidence of harm.
The order's outcomes are subject to appropriations and existing law, potentially limiting the scope or speed of effective remediation for identified security or economic threats.
Presidential Actions
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
This opening statement indicates that the text immediately following is a formal directive issued by the President, based on constitutional and statutory authority granted to the executive office.
Section 1. Background. An affordable and secure food supply is vital to America’s national and economic security. However, anti-competitive behavior, especially when carried out by foreign-controlled corporations, threatens the stability and affordability of America’s food supply. In recent years certain companies in the American food supply chain have even settled civil suits accusing them of price fixing for tens of millions of dollars. Food supply sectors including meat processing, seed, fertilizer, and equipment have similar vulnerabilities to price fixing and other anti-competitive practices. 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.
Section 1 establishes the rationale for the order, asserting that a secure and affordable food supply is crucial for national and economic security.
The section highlights that practices like price fixing and anti-competitive behavior, especially by foreign-controlled entities in sectors like meat processing, seeds, fertilizer, and equipment, pose stability and affordability risks.
The Administration commits to investigating these potentially harmful practices and addressing related national security threats.
Sec. 2. Food Supply Chain Security Task Forces to Protect Competition. (a) The Attorney General and the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission shall each establish a Food Supply Chain Security Task Force within the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, respectively, that will take all necessary and appropriate actions to investigate food-related industries within their established areas of expertise and determine whether anti-competitive behavior exists in food supply chains in the United States, as well as whether control of food-related industries by foreign entities is increasing the cost of food products in the United States or creating a national or economic security threat to Americans. 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. Should the Department of Justice Food Supply Chain Security Task Force uncover any evidence of criminal collusion, the Attorney General shall commence criminal proceedings as appropriate, including grand jury investigations.
Section 2 establishes two new investigatory bodies: a Food Supply Chain Security Task Force at the Department of Justice (DOJ) and another at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
These task forces must investigate food industries to find evidence of anti-competitive behavior or national security threats stemming from foreign control over these sectors.
They are directed to remedy discovered anti-competitive behavior through enforcement actions or new regulatory proposals.
If the DOJ's task force finds evidence of criminal collusion, the Attorney General must begin criminal proceedings, including using grand juries.
(b) The Task Forces shall, as permitted by law, jointly brief the Speaker of the House, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and the chairs of congressional committees of jurisdiction with a summary of their progress pursuant to this order once within 180 days following the date of this order, and again within 365 days following the date of this order, including, if relevant after consulting with the Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political, and Public Affairs, any recommended congressional actions. Such briefings shall not include any information related to ongoing investigations, prosecutions, regulatory actions, or litigation nor any non‑public information regarding any food-related industry investigated pursuant to this order.
Subsection (b) mandates that the Task Forces jointly provide progress summaries to the Speaker of the House, Senate Majority Leader, and relevant committee chairs after 180 days and again after 365 days.
These briefings may include recommendations for Congressional action, following consultation with a White House staff member.
However, the briefings must exclude any details about ongoing legal matters, enforcement actions, or sensitive, non-public industry information.
Sec. 3. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
Section 3 outlines general provisions, starting with Subsection (a), which clarifies that the order does not override existing legal authorities.
Specifically, it preserves the inherent legal authority of any executive department or agency, including its heads.
Furthermore, it maintains the established functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) related to budget setting and legislative or administrative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
Subsection (b) stipulates that the execution of this order must adhere to all existing applicable laws.
Additionally, implementation is contingent upon the availability of necessary funding through appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
Subsection (c) is a standard disclaimer stating that the order does not establish any new substantive or procedural legal rights or benefits that any party can enforce against the government, its agencies, or any individual in a court of law or equity.
(d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Justice.
Subsection (d) assigns financial responsibility for the official publication of this Presidential Action to the Department of Justice.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
December 6, 2025.
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This final section contains the signature line for the President, Donald J. Trump, and marks the date of issuance as December 6, 2025.
The concluding lines are boilerplate website credits indicating where the document was originally posted.