Page "United States antitrust law" Paragraph 45

During the New Deal, likewise, attempts were made to stop cutthroat competition, attempts that appeared very similar to cartelization, which would be illegal under antitrust laws if attempted by someone other than government.

The National Industrial Recovery Act ( NIRA ) was a short-lived program in 1933 – 35 designed to strengthen trade associations, and raise prices, profits and wages at the same time.

The Robinson-Patman Act of 1936 sought to protect local retailers against the onslaught of the more efficient chain stores, by making it illegal to discount prices.

To control big business, the New Deal policymakers preferred federal and state regulation — controlling the rates and telephone services provided by American Telephone & Telegraph Company ( AT & T ), for example — and by building up countervailing power in the form of labor unions.