Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Trump Signs Order to Make American-made Goods More American Associated Press WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday that will require federal agencies to purchase products using more American components. The order strengthens the standards that federal agencies must follow under the Buy American Act, which creates a preference for American-made goods. Trump said his order will gradually boost the percentage of U.S. components for qualifying American-made products from 50 percent to 75 percent. He said the threshold would increase to 95 percent for iron and steel products. "The philosophy of my administration is simple. If we can build it, grow it or make it in the United States, we will," Trump said. A trade group representing the steel industry called Trump's action "another positive step" in ensuring the industry remains competitive. "Strong domestic procurement preferences for federally funded infrastructure projects are vital to the health of the domestic steel industry," said Thomas J. Gibson, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute. Analysts said the executive order will require the federal government to pay more for many products. "While it might be a good headline for the administration, it's taxpayers that will end up paying for this policy," said Bryan Riley, director of the conservative National Taxpayers Union's Free Trade Initiative. "When we artificially reduce the pool of qualified suppliers or the variety of eligible supplies that can satisfy procurement requirements, projects cost more, take longer to complete, and suffer from lower quality," said Dan Ikenson, director of trade studies at the libertarian Cato Institute. The president signed the order during an annual White House "Made in America" showcase. Manufacturers from all 50 states were represented. .