WASHINGTON, July 19 (Reuters) – President Joe Biden’s administration, marking two years of aggressive anti-monopoly efforts, unveiled new initiatives targeting the rental housing market, food and agriculture sectors, and merger regulations. These steps, announced at the White House Competition Council’s meeting, aim to bolster consumer protection and promote fair competition in the U.S. economy.

Biden emphasized the importance of fairness and the fight against inflation, stating, “Folks are tired of being played for suckers.” The council, formed through an executive order, has already addressed issues in meatpacking, ocean shipping, and various consumer fees.

The White House criticized four decades of economic policies for increasing industry concentration, affecting average households by up to $5,000 annually through higher prices and reduced wages. Biden declared, “Capitalism without competition isn’t capitalism. It’s exploitation.”

Hannah Garden Monheit, Director of Competition Council Policy, reaffirmed the commitment to curbing anti-competitive practices using all available tools. While these measures enjoy widespread bipartisan support, some industry leaders accuse the administration of regulatory overreach. Sean Heather of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce advocates for transparency but warns against overly strict rules.

Morgan Harper, from the American Economic Liberties Project, praised the initiatives for fostering a competitive marketplace and supporting smaller businesses and consumers.

Key focus areas include the rental housing market, where major platforms like Zillow and http://Apartments.com agreed to disclose comprehensive upfront rental costs. This move aims to empower renters through transparency and comparison shopping.

Further actions include drafting new merger guidelines for stricter scrutiny of Big Tech mergers and partnering with 31 states and Washington, D.C., to address price-fixing in food and agriculture. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren lauded these guidelines as a significant shift after decades of lenient antitrust enforcement.

The White House’s multi-pronged approach targets various sectors, signaling a robust effort to enhance competition and protect consumer interests in the American economy.

WASHINGTON, July 19 (Reuters) – President Joe Biden’s administration, marking two years of aggressive anti-monopoly efforts, unveiled new initiatives targeting the rental housing market, food and agriculture sectors, and merger regulations. These steps, announced at the White House Competition Council’s meeting, aim to bolster consumer protection and promote fair competition in the U.S. economy.

Biden emphasized the importance of fairness and the fight against inflation, stating, “Folks are tired of being played for suckers.” The council, formed through an executive order, has already addressed issues in meatpacking, ocean shipping, and various consumer fees.

The White House criticized four decades of economic policies for increasing industry concentration, affecting average households by up to $5,000 annually through higher prices and reduced wages. Biden declared, “Capitalism without competition isn’t capitalism. It’s exploitation.”

Hannah Garden Monheit, Director of Competition Council Policy, reaffirmed the commitment to curbing anti-competitive practices using all available tools. While these measures enjoy widespread bipartisan support, some industry leaders accuse the administration of regulatory overreach. Sean Heather of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce advocates for transparency but warns against overly strict rules.

Morgan Harper, from the American Economic Liberties Project, praised the initiatives for fostering a competitive marketplace and supporting smaller businesses and consumers.

Key focus areas include the rental housing market, where major platforms like Zillow and http://Apartments.com agreed to disclose comprehensive upfront rental costs. This move aims to empower renters through transparency and comparison shopping.

Further actions include drafting new merger guidelines for stricter scrutiny of Big Tech mergers and partnering with 31 states and Washington, D.C., to address price-fixing in food and agriculture. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren lauded these guidelines as a significant shift after decades of lenient antitrust enforcement.

The White House’s multi-pronged approach targets various sectors, signaling a robust effort to enhance competition and protect consumer interests in the American economy.