What's in Biden's sweeping new antitrust executive order
On Friday, President Biden signed a broad executive order aimed at reducing corporate consolidation, increasing competition, and offering benefits for consumers, workers, and small business, The New York Times and Axios report.
"Today I'm going to be signing ... an executive order promoting competition. To lower prices. To increase wages. To take another critical step toward an economy that works for everybody," said Biden. The president, a self-proclaimed "proud capitalist," asserted that the "heart of American capitalism" is a simple idea — "open and fair competition."
Most notably, Biden's 72-action plan takes aim at restrictive employee noncompete agreements; requires airlines to refund passengers for poor Wi-Fi and baggage handling; calls for over-the-counter sales of hearing aids; and guarantees the right for farmers and motorists to "repair their own vehicles without voiding warranty protections," among other initiatives, Politico writes.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The order also goes "a step beyond" a similar one issued by former President Barack Obama in 2016 by "offering pointed suggestions" for steps agencies can take, rather than leaving implementation entirely up to agencies themselves, per Politico. Moreover, the few agencies that responded to the Obama administration's prodding in 2016 "saw their actions largely overturned" by the following administration.
But Biden's agenda is a "wish list progressives and other pro-competition advocates have been promoting for years," David Segal, the executive director of the group Demand Progress, told the Times. The policies might not "miraculously transform inequality in this country," but they will help, countered Jason Furman, an economic adviser in the Obama administration.
Regardless, Biden is optimistic. "Imagine if we give everyone a full and fair chance," the president mused. "That's what this is all about. That's what I'm about to do."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
When families cross the aisle against presidential candidates
In The Spotlight Tim Walz's cousins, Donald Trump's niece and nephew, RFK Jr.'s siblings: When it comes to running for office, blood is not necessarily thicker than water
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Boeing's Starliner to come home empty
Speed Read Astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry "Butch" Wilmore will return on a SpaceX spacecraft in February
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Hunter Biden pleads guilty to tax charges
Speed Read In an unexpected move, President Joe Biden's son pleads guilty to tax fraud and avoids a trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Who will win the 2024 presidential election?
In Depth Election year is here. Who are pollsters and experts predicting to win the White House?
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Harris, Biden campaign together at union rally
Speed Read The sitting president and Democratic presidential nominee joined forces in battleground state Pennsylvania
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'Declines haven't happened in most places'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What will Joe Biden's legacy be?
Today's Big Question History is likely to be kind to outgoing president, but his time in office could still be defined by what happens in November election
By The Week UK Published
-
'The United States and other open societies must not be complacent'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Biden passes the torch to Harris on DNC's first night
Speed Read The president gave an emotional speech, citing his political efforts and urging voters to choose Kamala Harris
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden and Harris tout drug price cuts at joint rally
Speed Read The Democrats announced a deal with pharmaceutical companies to cut Medicare prices for 10 top-selling drugs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published