Promoting Competition in the American Economy

2021-07-14Executive Order 14036
Signed by: Joseph R. Biden Jr.
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Headline: Directs Federal Agencies to Promote Competition Across U.S. Economy

What it does: Agencies must use their authorities to promote competition, review and enforce merger and antitrust rules, and carry out specified reports, rulemakings, and procurement changes.

Real World Impact:
  • Could curtail non-compete clauses and increase worker mobility.
  • Proposes rulemaking to strengthen protections for farmers under Packers and Stockyards law.
  • Encourages tech and telecom rule changes that may lower consumer prices.
Topics: competition policy, antitrust enforcement, consumer protections, labor mobility, technology platforms

Summary

This order directs the federal government to promote competition across the American economy. It emphasizes enforcing antitrust laws, resisting excessive industry consolidation, and addressing market power in sectors like labor, agriculture, tech platforms, healthcare, telecom, finance, and shipping.

It creates a White House Competition Council to coordinate agency actions, and asks agencies to review rules, mergers, procurement, and industry practices. It also encourages specific agency steps—rulemakings, reports, and enforcement—to protect workers, small businesses, farmers, and consumers and to increase choices and lower prices.

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