The Trump administration is investigating whether foreign companies are making food prices rise for Americans. This order addresses potential national security risks tied to food supply chains. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will share their findings with Congress in 180 days and provide follow-up reports within a year. But the details will be limited—they won’t include any ongoing investigations or sensitive information.
Historically, this isn’t the first time the DOJ examined the meatpacking industry. Back in 2019, after a Tyson plant fire and during the early pandemic, price discrepancies between live cattle and boxed beef drew attention. Despite numerous requests, there hasn’t been a comprehensive report on these findings.
Since then, the FTC has also investigated the food industry more actively. The Biden administration took steps against certain mergers in food and grocery sectors, which had significant consequences. Just after Trump took office, some Democratic FTC members were removed, and cases against Pepsico were closed. The commission approved a merger involving Kellanova and Mars.
Recently, Trump has pointed the finger at Biden for rising food prices, linking them to broader inflation issues as the economy rebounds from the pandemic. The White House has stated that Trump is dedicated to fighting this inflation and lowering grocery costs for Americans, leading to a vocal push against rising prices.
In another recent move, Trump held an event at the White House to rollback auto mileage standards aimed at reducing emissions and boosting electric vehicle usage. This reflects a broader strategy of reducing regulations to ease costs for consumers.
Interestingly, cattle producers are criticizing Trump for asking for more beef imports from other countries, such as Argentina, while also complaining about beef prices. On November 7, he called for the DOJ to start a new investigation into beef packers, particularly those owned by foreign entities. He suggested these companies might be involved in practices like price fixing that threaten the food supply and harm American ranchers.
Trump used social media to address these concerns, stating, “I am asking the DOJ to act expeditiously.” This call to action emphasizes his commitment to protecting both consumers and ranchers from unjust practices.
Such tensions in the food industry aren’t isolated. A recent survey shows that nearly 70% of Americans are worried about rising grocery costs, highlighting the broader public concern. As these discussions continue, they reflect a complex interplay of economics, policy, and global trade that affects everyday life.
For more details, you can refer to the White House fact sheet [here](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/12/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-addresses-security-risks-from-price-fixing-and-anti-competitive-behavior-in-the-food-supply-chain/).
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