Revocation of Executive Order on Competition
Signed: August 13, 2025
Published: August 19, 2025
Document Number: 2025-15824
đSummary
This executive order cancels Executive Order 14036 (issued July 9, 2021), which had directed the federal government to promote competition in the U.S. economy. It mainly affects federal agencies and departments that were previously expected to follow the 2021 competition-focused directives and initiatives. The key change is that the earlier orderâs government-wide policy direction is withdrawn, leaving agencies to proceed under their existing legal authorities rather than that specific competition agenda. It also states that nothing here changes agenciesâ legal powers, it must be carried out within existing law and funding, and it does not create enforceable rights for the public.
đźBusiness Impact
This revocation most affects industries that were under heightened antitrust and âpro-competitionâ scrutiny from EO 14036âlarge tech/platforms, healthcare (hospitals/pharma/PBMs), transportation/logistics, agriculture/food supply chains, and financial servicesâespecially businesses pursuing mergers, acquisitions, exclusivity arrangements, or aggressive pricing/contracting strategies. While it doesnât change antitrust laws, it likely reduces cross-agency pressure to prioritize competition initiatives (e.g., rulemakings and coordinated enforcement), creating opportunities for dealmaking and more flexible contracting, but companies should still expect DOJ/FTC enforcement to continue under existing statutes. Immediate actions: reassess M&A pipelines and partnership/exclusivity terms that were previously âhigh-risk,â monitor agency guidance and enforcement signals for any shift in priorities, and keep antitrust compliance programs active (document pro-competitive rationales, update training, and run deal/contract reviews) rather than assuming a free pass.
Full Text
Executive Order 14337 of August 13, 2025
Revocation of Executive Order on Competition
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Revocation.Executive Order 14036 of July 9, 2021 (Promoting Competition in the American Economy), is hereby revoked.
Sec. 2. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of Justice.
THE WHITE HOUSE,
August 13, 2025.