Some lawmakers, industry and labor groups are praising President Trump’s directive calling for a “systemic review” of Buy American laws as a good “first step,” but add that details and enforceable action are still missing while they await the release of the executive order signed by the president during an April 18 event in Kenosha, WI.
[Daily News] April 18th, 2017 [Inside U.S. Trade]
The AFL-CIO welcomed efforts to improve American-made provisions, referencing the 1982 Buy America provisions established by the Department of Transportation and the 1933 Buy American Act, while saying the group sought more specifics on the executive order, which has yet to be released.
“Today’s executive order is a good first step toward making Buy America provisions more effective and discouraging excessive waivers, but more needs to be done to pivot the U.S. economy toward steady wage and job growth,” Richard Trumka, president of the labor union, said in an April 18 statement.
“Although short on specifics, today’s order addresses critically important issues,” he said.
The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA), a pro-domestic manufacturing group, also backed Trump’s actions.
“CPA’s manufacturing, agricultural and labor members strongly support tightening Buy American rules, which are riddled with exceptions including those that allow override by trade agreements,” Michael Stumo, CEO of CPA, said in an April 18 statement. “We are pleased that the administration is including consideration of foreign trade cheating practices when non-US providers of goods bid on government contracts.”
