Against “Buy American”

Dana Frank

"Buy American" campaigns have historically done more to intensify xenophobia than improve workers' conditions.


Backed by a huge banner reading “Buy American — Hire American,” President Trump declared in March that his administration would make the United States the “car capital of the world” again.

“For decades, I have raised the alarm over unfair foreign trade practices that have robbed communities of their wealth and robbed our people of their ability to provide for their families,” Trump said. “They’ve stolen our jobs, they’ve stolen our companies, and our politicians sat back and watched, hopeless. Not anymore.”

Who is “they”? Based on the president’s previous comments, two safe guesses are Mexico and China. Since the inauguration he has been pushing to restrict trade and immigration. Meanwhile United Auto Workers (UAW) president Dennis Williams has announced that his union will launch a new Buy American campaign.

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