Biden signs executive order aimed at restoring competition in U.S. Economy

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has signed an executive order that targets what he says are anticompetitive practices in tech, health care and other parts of the economy.

The Order includes 72 initiatives by more than a dozen federal agencies to tackle some of the most pressing competition problems across the U.S. economy.

Of particular importance to U.S. cattle producers, the President’s Executive Order:

• Directs USDA to consider issuing new rules under the Packers and Stockyards Act making it easier for farmers to bring and win claims, stopping chicken processors from exploiting and underpaying chicken farmers, and adopting anti-retaliation protections for farmers who speak out about bad practices.
• Directs USDA to consider issuing new rules defining when meat can bear “Product of USA” labels, so that consumers have accurate, transparent labels that enable them to choose products made here.

The changes, he says, will also boost workers’ wages and consumer protections. However, new regulations that agencies may write to translate his policy into actual rules could trigger major legal battles.

Biden’s order, signed Friday, aims to cut down on “noncompete” agreements that keep workers from moving to other jobs.

It also takes aim at business giants Facebook, Google, Apple and Amazon by calling for greater scrutiny of mergers by dominant internet platforms. And it targets shippers that it says are charging American exporters too much.