President Trump Establishes Task Force to Combat Price-Fixing in Food Supply Chain
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a decisive move to address rising food costs and protect the integrity of the nation’s food supply, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on December 6, 2025, establishing the Food Supply Chain Security Task Force. This initiative aims to investigate and root out price-fixing and anti-competitive behavior that have long burdened American consumers and producers alike.
The creation of this task force marks a significant step in the administration’s broader effort to restore fairness and transparency within the agricultural marketplace. For years, concerns have mounted over the influence of foreign-controlled corporations and monopolistic practices that have tightened their grip on the food supply system, driving up costs for farmers and ranchers and ultimately for consumers.
Since taking office earlier this year, President Trump has prioritized addressing the economic pressures faced by those who feed the nation. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighted the challenges confronting producers, noting that “the last four years under President Joe Biden were crushing,” with soaring input costs and slumping commodity prices threatening the viability of farming operations across the country. According to USDA data, since 2020 seed costs have increased by 18%, fuel by 32%, fertilizer by 37%, labor by 47%, and interest expenses by a staggering 73%. These rising expenses not only strain individual budgets but also pose a risk to national food security.
The executive order builds on a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), which committed both agencies to enhanced collaboration in investigating anti-competitive practices in the agricultural sector. This partnership is designed to ensure competitive supply chains, reduce input costs, and lower prices for consumers.
The Food Supply Chain Security Task Force will conduct comprehensive investigations into allegations of price-fixing and other unfair practices within the food industry. In recent years, several companies have settled civil suits involving accusations of price-fixing, underscoring the urgency of federal intervention. The task force is tasked with identifying and addressing these issues to promote a free market that benefits both producers and consumers.
Secretary Rollins emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “Farm security is national security.” She underscored the administration’s commitment to providing both immediate relief and long-term solutions, including targeted aid to farmers and reforms to the H-2A guest worker program, which aims to alleviate labor shortages in agriculture.
Consumer advocates and industry experts have welcomed the move, noting that fair competition is essential to keeping food affordable and accessible. The executive order signals a renewed federal focus on protecting the agricultural sector from corporate consolidation and foreign interference.
As the holiday season approaches, the timing of the task force’s formation is particularly significant. With food prices continuing to impact household budgets nationwide, the administration’s efforts to investigate and dismantle anti-competitive schemes offer hope for more stable and equitable market conditions.
The Food Supply Chain Security Task Force represents a critical component of the administration’s broader strategy to secure America’s food system. By targeting price-fixing and fostering competition, the government aims to safeguard the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers while ensuring that consumers receive fair prices at the grocery store.
For more details on the USDA’s role in agricultural market oversight, visit the USDA Markets and Prices page. Information on the DOJ’s antitrust enforcement efforts can be found at the Antitrust Division website. Additionally, updates on federal initiatives to support agriculture and rural communities are available through the USA.gov Agriculture portal.
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