In a decisive move to address rising grocery costs and protect American consumers, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Saturday to establish two federal task forces dedicated to examining anti-competitive behavior and foreign influence within the U.S. food supply chain. This initiative is a response to the increasing financial burden on American households caused by monopolistic practices that escalate prices and threaten national security.
The Food Supply Chain Security Task Force, operating under the Department of Justice, alongside a parallel task force reporting to the Federal Trade Commission, will scrutinize food-related industries for potential price-fixing or anti-competitive practices. Their mission is to recommend enforcement actions or regulatory changes to restore competition and safeguard the interests of consumers. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson have been appointed to oversee these efforts, as reported by The Washington Examiner.
President Trump underscored the importance of food affordability in his statement, linking it directly to the nation's well-being. “An affordable and secure food supply is vital to America’s national and economic security,” he stated. He further highlighted the issue of foreign-controlled companies, indicating that their behaviors could destabilize the market and inflate costs for American families.
The executive order references previous legal settlements involving allegations of price-fixing within the food industry, which amounted to tens of millions of dollars. This historical context sets a precedent for the task forces' investigative mandate. They are required to report their findings to Congress biannually, first at the six-month mark and again after twelve months. These reports will encapsulate their discoveries, list enforcement actions taken, and suggest legislative or regulatory measures to prevent practices that could inflate costs or compromise food security.
The President's focus on foreign-controlled corporations is particularly pointed, with an explicit commitment to determine their role in raising prices. “My Administration will act to determine whether anti-competitive behavior, especially by foreign-controlled corporations, increases the cost of living and threatens the security of the U.S. food supply,” Trump declared.
This executive order builds on previous Trump administration actions that have addressed food affordability, such as overturning restrictive rules on egg and poultry production and streamlining federal inspections and regulatory approvals, which have been linked to reduced prices for consumers.
Food costs have surged in recent years, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a 2.7 percent increase in the “food at home” index over the 12 months ending in September. From 2020 to 2024, the all-food price index climbed by 23.6 percent, outpacing overall inflation and placing undue financial strain on middle- and lower-income families.
The executive order also complements urban affordability initiatives, like New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s plan for a city-run grocery store, and aligns with Trump’s upcoming national affordability tour in Pennsylvania. Through federal oversight, targeted investigations, and mandatory reporting to Congress, the task forces aim to curb anti-competitive practices, stabilize prices, and enhance transparency in the food supply chain.
Officials have noted that these measures could lead to enforcement actions or legislative proposals, strengthening market competition, protecting consumers nationwide, and ensuring the long-term stability of the U.S. food supply. In a social media post, Secretary Brooke Rollins echoed the sentiment, stating, “Prices are starting to fall — but too many families still aren’t seeing the savings at the checkout. That’s why President Trump is aggressively moving forward to ensure there is no price-fixing or anti-competitive games in the food supply chain.”
