President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday that will require federal agencies to purchase products using more American components.
The order strengthens the standards that federal agencies must follow under the Buy American Act, which creates a preference for American-made goods.
Trump said his order will gradually boost the percentage of U.S. components for qualifying American-made products from 50 percent to 75 percent. He said the threshold would increase to 95 percent for iron and steel products.
“The philosophy of my administration is simple. If we can build it, grow it or make it in the United States, we will,” Trump said.
A trade group representing the steel industry called Trump’s action “another positive step” in ensuring the industry remains competitive.