President Trump has signed a new executive order encouraging companies to “buy American†products as they receive contracts to work with the federal government on infrastructure projects. The White House said Thursday that the policy’s goal is boosting the use of U.S.-made goods, products and materials. In particular, iron, steel, aluminum and cement, in federal contracts and financial assistance programs.
Trump said the order comes as the result of the growing number of jobs in the manufacturing sector that is expected to reach 700,000 in the near future. He also highlighted the recent growth seen by the steel industry in the U.S.Â
“We want American roads, bridges and railways and everything else to be built with American iron, American steel, American concrete and American hands,†said Trump.Â
The “buy American†executive order requires all heads of federal departments and agencies to provide a report to President Trump detailing their plans to encourage industry partners to use products produced in the U.S. in every contract, subcontract, purchase order or sub‑award. Officials have 120 days from the release of the order to submit the report.
