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Deere Must Face Antitrust Lawsuit Over Repair Restrictions, Judge Rules

By  |  June 10, 2025

Deere & Co. must contend with a federal antitrust lawsuit accusing the agricultural equipment giant of monopolizing repair services and driving up costs for American farmers, per a ruling issued Monday by a U.S. judge.

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    U.S. District Judge Iain Johnston, presiding in the Northern District of Illinois, declined to dismiss the lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and five states. The case, launched in January 2025 near the close of President Joe Biden’s term, alleges that Deere unfairly forces farmers to use its network of authorized dealers, thereby restricting repair options and inflating service prices, according to Reuters.

    Deere has denied any wrongdoing and argued that the lawsuit is legally deficient. In court filings, the Illinois-based manufacturer claimed it does not operate within the same market as independent repair services and challenged the structure of the FTC itself. The company contended that legal protections preventing the president from removing FTC commissioners interfere with executive oversight. However, Judge Johnston rejected that challenge, stating Deere failed to demonstrate how it had been harmed by the agency’s structure.

    Related: FTC and State Attorneys General Sue John Deere Over Repair Restrictions in Antitrust Case

    The FTC, backed by Michigan, Wisconsin, and three other states, asserts that Deere’s practices violate federal antitrust laws by suppressing competition and withholding vital repair tools and information from farmers. In an April court filing, the FTC stated that Deere’s conduct prevents farmers from repairing their equipment in a timely and affordable manner, per a Reuters report.

    This latest ruling compounds Deere’s legal challenges. In 2023, Judge Johnston allowed a separate lawsuit from private plaintiffs—including crop farms and individual farmers—accusing Deere of engaging in similar restrictive practices regarding repair services.

    Deere did not immediately comment on the decision. The FTC also declined to provide a statement, according to Reuters.

    The case is titled Federal Trade Commission et al. v. Deere & Co., No. 3:25-cv-50017, and is being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

    Source: Reuters