What is it called when the government sets a price for a good below the market equilibrium?

When the government sets a price for a good below the market equilibrium, it is referred to as a price ceiling. A price ceiling establishes a maximum price that can be charged for a good, with the intention of making it more affordable to consumers.

When a price ceiling is implemented, it usually leads to a higher quantity demanded than the quantity supplied, resulting in a shortage of the good. Consumers benefit from lower prices, but producers may be discouraged from supplying enough of the product, thereby creating imbalance in the market.

In contrast, a price floor represents a minimum price set above the market equilibrium, typically aimed at ensuring producers receive a fair income. Price support refers to government interventions that maintain the market price of a commodity at a certain level, while market intervention is a broader term that includes various government actions to influence economic conditions.