The Biden administration rolled out new measures on Wednesday targeting corporate mergers, hidden fees charged by landlords, and potential price manipulation in the food industry. These developments come as part of President Joe Biden’s scheduled deliberations with the White House Competition Council, an entity founded following a 2021 executive directive.

Here’s a breakdown of the administration’s latest initiatives:

1. Mergers and Corporate Oversight:
   • The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission have set forth updated guidelines for merger assessments. The updates are aimed at providing clearer insights on the potential implications of mergers for employees and adapting to an economy influenced by digital giants like Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta.
   • These guidelines are an evolution from the original framework established in 1968, reflecting the legal standards laid down by Congress and court precedents.
   • Republican figures have expressed concerns regarding FTC Chair Lina Khan’s stance on corporate power concentration, deeming it as undue government interference. In defense, Khan stresses the importance of fostering competition beneficial for consumers, the workforce, and emerging enterprises.
   • Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the significance of these guidelines in addressing “modern market realities” and highlighted the potential risks of unchecked mergers.
2. Transparency for Renters:
   • In a bid to prevent renters from unexpected “junk fees,” the government is teaming up with platforms like Zillow, http://Apartments.com : Apartments and Homes for Rent , and http://AffordableHousing.com – Affordable Houses & Apartments For Rent . They seek to launch a website that discloses all potential fees associated with leasing properties.
   • This initiative emerges from concerns about renters being blindsided by additional costs for services like online rent payments, credit background checks, or garbage disposal.
3. Food Sector Vigilance:
   • The Department of Agriculture is joining forces with state attorneys general to probe and address price gouging in the food industry.
   • Additionally, a new liaison will be introduced to aid farmers in understanding the patent procedure concerning seeds.

While the White House attributes its comprehensive initiatives to a surge in entrepreneurship (with a record 10.5 million new small business applications in 2021 and 2022), these actions have not been without detractors. Neil Bradley from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce criticized the government’s approach, suggesting it could adversely impact consumer choices, pricing, and overall economic competitiveness.