Antitrust Laws
Critically important but commonly misunderstood, antitrust laws are meant to promote competition and protect consumers. Here’s everything you need to know.
America's antitrust laws protect competition and benefit consumers.
Antitrust laws ensure competition in a free and open market economy, which is the foundation of any vibrant economy. And healthy competition among sellers in an open marketplace gives consumers the benefits of lower prices, higher quality products and services, more choices, and greater innovation.
The core of U.S. antitrust law was created by three pieces of legislation: the Sherman Antitrust Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Clayton Antitrust Act. These laws have evolved along with the market, vigilantly guarding against anti-competitive harm that arises from abuse of dominance, bid rigging, price fixing, and customer allocation.
A Global Perspective on U.S. Antitrust Legislative Proposals
New report
U.S. legislative proposals could undermine U.S. economic and security interests and strengthen foreign rivals without any apparent benefit to U.S. consumers.
America's Antitrust Laws: Explained in 60 Seconds
Video
Antitrust laws ensure competition thrives, providing consumers with lower prices and higher-quality products and services. However, some seek to rewrite these laws and undermine consumer power in the marketplace. Before Congress starts making unnecessary and harmful changes, it’s important to set a few things straight.
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Latest Content
- May 16, 2022FTC Procedures Manual 2021
The procedures manual summarizes the procedures the FTC follows to execute its responsibilities for the Commission decision making process.
- May 13, 2022Comments to USDA on Competition in the Agriculture Marketplace
The Chamber submitted comments on competition in the seeds, food retail, and fertilizer markets.
Apr 26, 2022All Hat, No Cattle: House Hearing on Rising Meat Prices Lacks SubstanceRather than blaming American business for rising food prices, policymakers should remember that monetary policy remains the best tool for fighting inflation.
Apr 20, 2022Attacks on Common Ownership Could Harm Entrepreneurship and Economic CompetitivenessThe practice of common ownership both promotes stability and improves the performance of publicly traded companies.
- Apr 19, 2022Coalition Response to FTC and DOJ Request for Information on Merger Enforcement
The Chamber and a range of industry groups sent a coalition letter to the FTC and DOJ on its efforts to revise the merger guidelines.
- Apr 19, 2022Chamber Comments on FTC and DOJ Merger Enforcement Guidelines
The Chamber welcomes updates to the merger guidelines but warns against attempts to rewrite antitrust law.
Mar 20, 20225 Facts to Understand Mergers: The Benefits, Review Process, and Proposed ChangesBefore such drastic changes are made to America's antitrust laws, it’s important to understand the benefits of merger activity for consumers and the economy as well as the government’s highly successful track record in challenging problematic mergers.
Mar 17, 2022Understanding Recent Antitrust BillsThis whitepaper examines how recent antitrust proposals could do more to harm than help American consumers and workers.
Mar 16, 2022DC Policy Debate On Competition And Antitrust Needs A ResetIndustrial concentration is a myth that underpins the administration's executive order on competition, its narrative around inflation and serves as its excuse to overregulate. America is home to the world's most vibrant and dynamic economy thanks to vigorous competition in the marketplace that drives new ideas and innovative products and services for consumers.