Make in America

Joe Biden's executive order raises concerns

Among the significant executive orders (EO) the 46th US president, Joe Biden, signed in his first week in office, “Buy American” was notable for its Trumpian overtones and for creating consternation among US businesses and allies. The EO seeks to tighten rules for federal government procurement programmes, limiting foreign contracts by federal agencies with the objective of encouraging economic activity and job creation in the United States. As a political signal it is a powerful one, though obvious questions arise about how it differs from Donald Trump’s “America First” creed and whether it will exclude allies from one of the