President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an executive order creating new task forces within the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate price fixing and other anti-competitive practices in the food industry.
The order cites vulnerabilities across multiple sectors of the food supply chain — including meat processing, seed production, fertilizer, and equipment manufacturing — and references past civil settlements over price-fixing allegations that have totaled tens of millions of dollars.
The executive order states that several sectors of the food supply chain are vulnerable to collusion and other anti-competitive behavior. It also warns that such actions — particularly those involving foreign-controlled companies — could threaten the stability and affordability of the U.S. food supply.
Under the order, the attorney general and the chairman of the Federal Trade Commission must establish dedicated task forces within their respective agencies. These units will investigate potential anti-competitive conduct throughout the nation’s food supply chains.
A central objective will be to assess whether foreign ownership or control in food-related industries contributes to higher consumer prices or poses national security concerns.
The task forces are authorized to pursue enforcement actions and propose regulatory measures should evidence of misconduct be found. If the DOJ task force uncovers indications of criminal collusion, the attorney general is directed to initiate appropriate legal proceedings, including possible grand jury investigations.
The order also requires the DOJ and FTC task forces to deliver joint progress reports to congressional leaders. The briefings must occur twice — once within 180 days of the order’s issuance and again within 365 days.
Reports will be submitted to the Speaker of the House, the Senate majority leader, and the chairs of relevant committees. The order specifies that the briefings must exclude any non-public information related to ongoing investigations, prosecutions, regulatory actions, or litigation involving specific industries.
The agencies may also include recommendations for potential legislative action.
The directive builds on earlier administration efforts to scrutinize the food industry. In November 2025, President Trump requested a DOJ investigation into major meatpacking companies over allegations of collusion, price fixing, and price manipulation that may have contributed to rising beef prices.
“We will always protect our American Ranchers, and they are being blamed for what is being done by Majority Foreign Owned Meat Packers, who artificially inflate prices and jeopardize the security of our Nation’s food supply,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The order comes as Trump plans to begin touring the country to tout his administration’s efforts to make life more affordable for Americans.
New economic data delivered a boost to President Trump on Friday, showing consumer sentiment rising for the first time in five months. Voters reported feeling more optimistic about inflation and their personal finances, a shift that comes as Trump prepares for a nationwide tour promoting what he says is clear economic progress.
Democrats, however, are working to center the midterm elections on affordability issues — branding their message as “Make America Affordable Again” (MAAA) — and highlighting contrasts such as Trump’s costly White House ballroom renovation alongside Americans struggling with high housing costs and other financial pressures.
Trump is countering by traveling to promote his economic agenda, which includes proposals such as tariff rebate payments and the creation of 50-year mortgage options, the New York Post reported.
Trump is set to begin his economics-focused tour on Tuesday at a casino in northeastern Pennsylvania, where he is expected to highlight several developments his administration views as economic wins. Those include lower gas prices, what he describes as securing $100 billion in energy and artificial intelligence investments for in the battleground state, and his approval of Japanese investment in U.S. Steel.
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