'Buying American' and losing America

US President Donald Trump recently signed the "Buy American, Hire American" executive order, which seeks to crack down on fraud and abuse of the skilled worker (H-1B) visa program. And at the headquarters of Snap-on, a tool company in Kenosha, Wisconsin, he signed the second part of the order, which calls for US government agencies to give preference to domestically produced goods and for a 220-day study of US trade agreements that grant foreign companies the right to be treated as domestic companies.

Trump said his executive order will minimize the use of waivers and maximize made-in-America content in all federal projects. In particular, the administration will crack down on "companies that used dumped steel to take work away from workers like you." But the order was also about domestic politics and the White House's internal strife. And questions linger about its economic implications.

When Trump entered the White House, some 45 percent Americans approved the way he was handling his job, with another 45 percent disapproving. Today, almost 55 percent disapprove of his performance, according to Gallup. Moreover, some polls in swing states such as Wisconsin indicated his approval ratings were under water. Clearly, it was high time for Trump to be seen as delivering on his campaign pledges.