WASHINGTON - The Trump administration has ended its antitrust probe into a deal between California and four of the world’s biggest automakers, after failing to find that the companies’ conduct violated the law. Under the deal, the automakers planned to comply with pollution and related mileage requirements established by California that are tougher than the federal standards sought by President Donald Trump. Democrats accused the administration of using antitrust powers to target political opponents with the investigation. A top Justice Department official defended the probe before Congress and denied any political motivation or influence from the White House. The deal struck by the state and the automakers bypassed the administration’s plan to freeze emissions and fuel economy standards adopted under President Obama at 2021 levels.

Source: thestar February 07, 2020 23:29 UTC