President Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 31, 2019, to encourage federal agencies to require the use of more American-made products in infrastructure projects they help finance. The order directs federal agencies to encourage recipients of loans, loan guarantees, grants and interest subsidies to meet Buy American requirements for iron, steel, aluminum, cement and other products in their projects.
The expansion could affect a wide array of infrastructure projects that rely on federal financial assistance, ranging from bridges and sewage systems to broadband internet and cybersecurity. U.S. metalcasters will benefit from the enhanced Buy American provisions in the order.
The order reinforces the administration's Buy American preferences outlined in 2017 by providing strong presidential guidance. The measure does not include enforcement mechanisms or specific purchasing targets. A copy of the executive order can be found here.
