The answer is: In theory, companies may indeed use pricing strategies in the supply chain to exclude competitors, but this practice usually involves anti-competitive behavior and faces legal and regulatory risks. The following details several aspects of this issue: 1. Pricing strategy and competitive advantage Companies may use their control over supply chain links to formulate pricing strategies that are beneficial to themselves, such as by lowering the prices of key raw materials or intermediate products, forming a so-called "predatory pricing" strategy, so that competitors cannot obtain the same advantages due to high costs. It is also possible to use scale and bargaining advantages to sign exclusive agreements with suppliers, making it difficult for competitors to obtain the same benefits. 2. Supply chain control and market exclusion In some industries, the supply of key raw materials or components is crucial to the manufacture of final products. If a company has a strong bargaining position in the supply chain, it can attract suppliers to cooperate first by offering lower prices or more favorable contract terms, thereby achieving the goal of excluding competitors in the market. 3. Legal and regulatory risks However, the above strategies are prone to involve antitrust or unfair competition behavior. For example, predatory pricing (also known as suppressive competition prices) is considered to violate the principle of fair competition in many countries. If a company uses its monopoly position in the supply chain to squeeze out competitors by lowering prices to unreasonable levels, this practice may lead to investigations by regulators and even face legal action and fines. 4. Market dynamics and long-term impact Even if supply chain pricing strategies can squeeze competitors' profits in the short term, companies may face consumers' increasing demands for product quality and innovation after excluding competitors. Moreover, once competitors are squeezed out, reduced market competition may also damage overall industry efficiency, which is not conducive to the healthy development of the market in the long run. 5. Cases and regulatory practices In some countries and regions, antitrust laws have strict regulations on price manipulation. For example, regulators in Europe, America and other regions have investigated and sanctioned unfair competition by taking advantage of supply chain advantages. These cases show that although it is theoretically feasible to try to squeeze out competitors through supply chain pricing strategies, it must be implemented with great caution to avoid violating relevant laws and regulations. In summary, companies can indeed try to gain competitive advantages by manipulating pricing strategies in the supply chain, but such strategies are likely to be regarded as illegal or anti-competitive behavior, which not only poses legal risks, but may also harm the long-term healthy development of the entire market. Therefore, companies need to carefully consider the legitimacy and market ethics when formulating supply chain-related pricing strategies.