President Donald Trump has revoked Executive Order 14036, a major Biden-era directive that aimed to boost economic competition across the American economy.
The reversal marks a significant shift in federal antitrust policy. Biden’s original order, signed in 2021, had directed agencies to crack down on corporate consolidation and anti-competitive practices.
Trump’s revocation order contains standard legal language preserving existing agency authorities. It also specifies that implementation must comply with applicable law and available funding. However, no explanation for the revocation was cited.
Executive Order 14036 had established a White House Competition Council and included 72 specific initiatives. Those directives targeted industries from agriculture to technology, addressing issues like non-compete agreements and merger reviews.
“The American promise of a broad and sustained prosperity depends on an open and competitive economy … Robust competition is critical to preserving America’s role as the world’s leading economy,” Biden emphasized in his executive order.
The order represented one of Biden’s most comprehensive economic policy efforts. It sought to reverse decades of increasing market concentration across multiple sectors.
Trump’s action effectively dismantles this framework with a single signature. The revocation took effect immediately upon signing at the White House.
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) described the revocation as “a step backward for consumers, entrepreneurs, workers, and family farmers” that would“lead to higher prices, fewer choices, and less innovation,” AI Invest reported.
In contrast, U.S. Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slaughter commended Trump’s decision as part of his administration’s “America First Antitrust” approach that “removes barriers to innovation and opportunity and limits regulatory burdens on free competition.”
