Washington~ President Trump will sign today an executive order directing the “systematic review” of Buy American laws at Snap-On, Inc. in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The order will examine the so-called “public interest” exemptions government procurement officers use to get around these rules. It will also review whether exemptions granted to allow purchases from foreign companies provide a net benefit to the United States.
CPA has previously urged the Trump Administration to address trade agreements that interfere with longstanding, congressionally approved, Buy American rules. Like other provisions of trade agreements, the result has been harmful to US economic interests.
“A February report by the Government Accountability Office revealed that the US likely gives foreign companies more access to our public spending programs than other countries give to US companies,” continued Stumo. “CPA supports withdrawal from a World Trade Organization side agreement that requires us to treat over 40 countries’ products as American made for government buying purposes. Polls are clear that American taxpayers want their hard earned dollars to be spent on American made goods.”
America has underutilized plant capacity and an underutilized labor force. Existing government buying and any future infrastructure spending should benefit US plants and employ US workers.
The Coalition for a Prosperous America is a nonprofit organization representing the interests of 2.7 million households through our agricultural, manufacturing and labor members.
Contact: Paola Masman, Media Director
202-688-5145 ext 2, [email protected]
