Executive Order 13858: Strengthening Buy-American Preferences for Infrastructure

President Trump signed Executive Order 13858 on January 31, 2019, directing federal agencies to maximize domestic content requirements and Buy-American preferences in infrastructure projects funded by federal dollars. The order requires agencies to increase the percentage of American-made materials and products in federally-funded infrastructure construction and to waive certain exemptions to Buy-American rules. Direct effects include altered procurement standards for infrastructure projects receiving federal funding, potentially increasing costs and timelines for projects while prioritizing domestic suppliers and manufacturers.