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While visiting the swing state of Ohio on Thursday, President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that would require the U.S. government purchase “essential” drugs from American companies.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro told reporters ahead of the signing that the U.S. is “dangerously over-dependent on foreign nations” for “essential medicines” as well as medical supplies and equipment.
The order represents another measure that looks likely to resonate with the president’s core supporters ahead of the November election. He also recently has signed executive orders that aim to limit federal agencies’ use of foreign workers and reduce drug prices.
In addition, the order comes amid probes into a $765 million government loan to Eastman Kodak Co. KODK, +10.16% that will help the company make drug ingredients at U.S. factories.
While in Ohio, Trump is also slated to make remarks in Cleveland about “economic prosperity” and give a speech at a Whirlpool Corp. WHR, -1.20% manufacturing plant in Clyde.
The president tweeted that as he was departing for Ohio he directed his staff to “continue working” on a possible executive order on a payroll-tax cut, eviction protections, unemployment-insurance extensions and student-loan repayments. He later told reporters the order could come “probably tomorrow afternoon” or the next morning, noting that a legislative deal on another big coronavirus relief package was still possible.
Related:Trump suggests freezing evictions and payroll-tax collection through executive orders
Trump on Thursday also briefly weighed in on the Democratic New York attorney general’s move to shut down the National Rifle Association, saying it’s “a terrible thing.” Gun makers’ stocks SWBI, -0.92% RGR, +0.50% were showing choppy trade and off their session highs after the announcement from Attorney General Letitia James.
