President Trump strengthens Buy America steel requirement

US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order strengthening the Buy America requirements for iron and steel products, Kallanish reports.

The main thrust of the order is an increase in the domestic iron and steel content of federal infrastructure projects from 50% to 95%, by cost.

A report on the new rules is due to the White House within 180 days.

American Iron and Steel Institute ceo Thomas Gibson praised the move in a press release.

“This announcement is another positive step in ensuring the fullest possible implementation and enforcement of existing domestic procurement laws and ensuring the steel industry remains competitive,” Gibson says. “Strong domestic procurement preferences for federally funded infrastructure projects are vital to the health of the domestic steel industry, and have helped create manufacturing jobs and build American infrastructure. We applaud President Trump for once again affirming his commitment to the steel industry that built, and continues to build, our nation.”