Antitrust Laws: Promoting Competition and Free Markets
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 promote 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.
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.
Learn More
Sign Up
Sign up to receive the latest news, resources, and event updates related to antitrust.
Latest Content
-
Recent European Union (EU) merger developments raise concerns for both European and non-European businesses and consumers, and the ability of national governments to regulate events that affect their local economies.
-
The Federal Trade Commission’s Section 5 guidance will discourage competition and damage America’s competitiveness.
-
This timeline shows the ways in which Chairwoman Khan has moved to silence dissent at the FTC and consolidated power in ways that call into question the independence of the agency.
-
This Key Vote Alert! letter was sent to the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, opposing H.R. 3843, the "Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act"
-
Report finds that technology is a driver of economic success for small businesses and that policymakers must encourage an environment that enables all businesses to succeed with digital tools.
-
Voters less likely to support candidates that vote for the American Innovation and Choice Online Act
-
Inflation is already hurting families, workers, employers, and our economy, and the American Innovation and Choice Online Act would only lead to higher prices for consumers.
-
-
While the White House has rightly pushed back against Europe’s Digital Markets Act, Congress is considering similar legislation with the American Innovation and Choice Online Act – which would limit competition in the tech industry.
-
This Hill letter was sent to the Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, on the hearing, “Baby Formula and Beyond: The Impact of Consolidation on Families and Consumers.”
