The US government will now buy more foreign-made goods for federal projects.

The US government has updated its list of items that do not have to be made in America for federal projects. This means federal agencies can now buy more foreign-made goods, even if a US-made alternative exists.

The Buy American Act has been a cornerstone of US industrial policy for decades, aiming to prioritize domestic manufacturing for government purchases. This rule change quietly loosens those requirements by expanding the list of items that are considered 'domestically nonavailable.' It means US manufacturers will face more competition from foreign suppliers for federal contracts.