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Trump Revokes Bidens Competition Executive Order

Trump Revokes Biden's Sweeping Competition Executive Order: A Bold Move Toward Deregulation

In a decisive action that underscores his commitment to rolling back what he views as overreaching federal regulations, President Donald Trump has officially revoked President Joe Biden's 2021 Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy. The revocation, announced on August 14, 2025, marks a significant shift in the federal government's approach to antitrust enforcement and economic policy, potentially reshaping industries from technology to agriculture. This move is part of Trump's broader agenda to dismantle what his administration describes as the "regulatory state" inherited from the Biden era, emphasizing free-market principles over government intervention.

Biden's executive order, signed in July 2021, was a cornerstone of his administration's efforts to combat what it perceived as excessive corporate concentration and monopolistic practices. Titled "Promoting Competition in the American Economy," the order directed more than a dozen federal agencies to take aggressive steps to foster competition across various sectors. It called for enhanced scrutiny of mergers and acquisitions, particularly in Big Tech, where companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta had faced growing antitrust pressures. The order also targeted non-compete agreements in labor markets, aiming to empower workers by limiting employers' ability to restrict job mobility. In agriculture, it sought to address consolidation among meatpackers and seed companies, while in healthcare, it pushed for lower prescription drug prices through competitive bidding and transparency measures.

One of the most ambitious aspects of Biden's order was its whole-of-government approach. It instructed agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and even the Department of Transportation to incorporate competition considerations into their rulemaking processes. For instance, the FTC under Biden appointee Lina Khan pursued high-profile cases against tech giants, including attempts to block mergers like Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The order also encouraged the Federal Communications Commission to restore net neutrality rules, framing them as essential for competitive broadband markets. Proponents argued that this framework was necessary to counteract decades of lax antitrust enforcement, which they blamed for rising inequality, stagnant wages, and diminished innovation.

Trump's revocation, detailed in a new executive order, explicitly repeals these directives, arguing that they stifled economic growth and innovation by imposing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. In a statement from the White House, Trump declared, "The Biden order wasn't about competition; it was about government control. We're unleashing the American economy by getting Washington out of the way." The new order instructs agencies to prioritize deregulation, focusing on reducing barriers to entry for businesses rather than enforcing what Trump calls "socialist-style interventions." This includes halting ongoing antitrust probes initiated under the Biden framework and redirecting resources toward protecting intellectual property and fostering entrepreneurship.

The implications of this revocation are far-reaching. In the tech sector, where Biden's policies had led to increased litigation and regulatory scrutiny, companies may now face a more permissive environment for mergers and expansions. Analysts predict a surge in deal-making, as firms that held back due to antitrust fears could now proceed with confidence. For example, potential consolidations in AI and cloud computing, previously under the microscope, might accelerate, potentially boosting investment but raising concerns about market dominance.

In labor markets, the revocation could mean a resurgence of non-compete clauses, which Biden's order had sought to limit. Labor advocates worry this will hinder worker mobility and suppress wages, particularly in industries like healthcare and fast food, where such agreements are common. On the agricultural front, family farmers who benefited from Biden-era efforts to break up meatpacking monopolies may see those gains eroded, potentially leading to higher food prices and reduced bargaining power for producers.

Critics of Trump's move, including progressive economists and consumer advocacy groups, argue that revoking the order abandons the fight against corporate power at a time when inflation and inequality remain pressing issues. "This is a giveaway to big corporations at the expense of everyday Americans," said Sarah Miller, executive director of the American Economic Liberties Project. They point to studies showing that increased competition under Biden's policies contributed to modest declines in consumer prices in sectors like pharmaceuticals and telecommunications.

Conversely, free-market advocates and business leaders have hailed the decision as a victory for economic liberty. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued a statement praising the revocation, noting that excessive regulation had deterred investment and job creation. Wayne Crews, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute and a longtime critic of regulatory overreach, emphasized in an interview that Biden's order represented an unprecedented expansion of executive power. "It turned antitrust into a tool for industrial policy, allowing unelected bureaucrats to pick winners and losers," Crews said. He argues that true competition emerges from minimal government interference, not top-down mandates.

This action fits into Trump's larger regulatory reform agenda, which includes initiatives like the revival of his 2017 "one-in, two-out" rule for regulations, requiring agencies to eliminate two existing rules for every new one introduced. It also aligns with promises made during his 2024 campaign to "drain the swamp" of bureaucratic excess. However, the revocation isn't without challenges. Some elements of Biden's competition policies were embedded in agency rules that may require formal rulemaking processes to unwind, potentially leading to legal battles. Progressive states like California and New York could step in with their own antitrust measures, creating a patchwork of regulations that businesses must navigate.

Economically, the shift could stimulate short-term growth by encouraging corporate activity, but experts warn of long-term risks if unchecked monopolies lead to reduced innovation. A report from the Brookings Institution suggests that without robust competition policies, sectors like technology could see innovation stifled by dominant players, echoing concerns from the early 2000s dot-com era.

Looking ahead, Trump's revocation sets the stage for a partisan tug-of-war over economic policy. With midterm elections looming in 2026, Democrats are likely to campaign on restoring competition measures, framing Trump's actions as favoring billionaires over workers. Meanwhile, the administration plans to issue follow-up guidance to agencies, emphasizing pro-growth policies such as tax incentives for startups and streamlined permitting for infrastructure projects.

In essence, this revocation is more than a policy reversal; it's a philosophical statement about the role of government in the economy. By dismantling Biden's competition framework, Trump is betting that less regulation will unleash American ingenuity and prosperity. Whether this gamble pays off remains to be seen, but it undoubtedly signals a return to a more hands-off approach that defined his first term. As the dust settles, businesses, consumers, and policymakers will be watching closely to assess the real-world impacts on competition, prices, and economic opportunity in the years ahead.

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Read the Full Forbes Article at:
[ https://www.forbes.com/sites/waynecrews/2025/08/14/trump-revokes-bidens-competition-executive-order/ ]