On Jan. 31, Pres. Donald Trump signed an executive order to encourage the purchase of more American-made products on federal infrastructure projects.
The executive order, “Strengthening Buy American Preferences for Infrastructure Projects,” directs executive department and agency heads to encourage recipients of federal funds to “use, to the greatest extent practicable, iron and aluminum as well as, steel, cent, and other manufactured products produced in the United States in every contract, subcontract, purchase order, or sub award that is chargeable against such Federal financial assistant award.” The executive order also requires a report of opportunities to maximize Buy American principles be made available to the President by May 31, 2019.
Peter Navarro, White House director of trade and manufacturing, said, “These programs create good manufacturing jobs at good wages and thereby help lift workers into middle class prosperity.”
Navarro said the when an agency like the DOT funds infrastructure directly, Buy American principles are used, but when the DOT indirectly funds infrastructure through loans or grants, there could be a gap in an opportunity to support American-made products. This executive order closes that gap.
“By signing this order today, we renew our commitment to an essential truth: It matters where something is made, and it matters very greatly,” said Pres. Trump.
