Poll question: A buy-American order
President Donald Trump signed a “Presidential Executive Order on Buy American and Hire American” on April 18. He did it at the Snap-on tool company in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“It shall be the policy of the executive branch to buy American and hire American,” reads the order. It also includes a call for the heads of all federal agencies to assess compliance with Buy American Laws, and at the same time develop and propose policies that will lead to the federal procurement of more U.S. materials and products.
On one hand, the president said he was “sending a powerful signal to the world. We’re going to protect our workers, defend our jobs and finally put America first.”
What could be wrong with that? Well, Adam Smith conservatives might protest against the erosion of free trade. And according to this essay, barring foreign suppliers would decrease competition and squander tax dollars.
What are your thoughts on the wisdom of an aggressive Buy American plan? Take the survey here.