FTC sues Deere, alleging equipment repair 'monopoly' raises costs for farmers
FTC sues Deere, alleging equipment repair 'monopoly' raises costs for farmers
The Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit against agricultural equipment giant Deere & Company, alleging it holds a monopoly on repair services.
Summary
The FTC, joined by Illinois and Minnesota, has sued Deere & Company, alleging the agricultural equipment giant monopolizes repair services by restricting access to necessary tools.
This forces farmers to rely on authorized dealers, raising repair costs and causing delays.
The FTC argues Deere's practices harm farmers by limiting competition and driving up expenses through Deere-branded parts.
The lawsuit seeks to ensure farmers and independent shops have access to repair resources.
Filed in Biden’s final days, its future under Trump’s administration remains uncertain.