{"id":29119,"date":"2025-02-19T00:42:48","date_gmt":"2025-02-19T08:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/what-to-know-about-trumps-approach-to-baba\/"},"modified":"2025-02-19T00:42:48","modified_gmt":"2025-02-19T08:42:48","slug":"what-to-know-about-trumps-approach-to-baba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/what-to-know-about-trumps-approach-to-baba\/","title":{"rendered":"What to know about Trump\u2019s approach to BABA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech\">\n    <button class=\"text-to-speech__button button\"><\/p>\n<p>            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"text-to-speech__button__icon\" src=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/static\/images\/audio_icon.svg?482016190122\" alt=\"-\"><\/p>\n<p>        Listen to the article<br \/>\n        <span class=\"text-to-speech__button__audio-length\">7 min<\/span><br \/>\n    <\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech__controls\">\n        <audio controls=\"\" class=\"js-text-to-speech\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/dmgi9movl\/video\/upload\/q_1\/v1739904669\/news\/text_to_speech\/trump-baba-buy-america_itbf1x.wav\" type=\"audio\/mp3\"><\/source><\/audio><\/p>\n<div class=\"text-to-speech__controls__text\">\n            This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\">feedback<\/a>.\n        <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Former President Joe Biden strengthened the federal government\u2019s procurement policy to encourage domestic manufacturing, and even as President Donald Trump seeks to unwind much of his predecessor\u2019s legacy, this looks to be an area of alignment. That means civil builders must prepare for heightened domestic procurement requirements stemming from both parties.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>There was a marked increase of <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hklaw.com\/en\/insights\/publications\/2024\/11\/how-a-trump-presidency-could-impact-government-contracting\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Buy American requirements during the previous Trump administration<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> that continued under Biden, per a Nov. 11, 2024, alert authored by Eric Crusius, partner at Tampa, Florida-based law firm Holland and Knight.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201cContractors should expect that trend will continue, perhaps even further than the current trajectory,\u201d according to Crusius\u2019 alert.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Biden bolstered the existing <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.acquisition.gov\/far\/subpart-25.2\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Buy America requirements<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> for federally financed infrastructure projects via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Build America, Buy America provision of the IIJA requires that the iron, steel, many construction materials and manufactured products used in federally funded infrastructure projects be domestically produced.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The Trump administration has <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/news\/trump-funding-freeze-iija-ira-projects\/738504\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>temporarily frozen IIJA funding<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> and subsequently <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/02\/10\/us\/trump-unfreezing-federal-grants-judge-ruling.html?unlocked_article_code=1.wE4.-p6J.iDNuOD0RgQTL&amp;smid=url-share\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>ignored court orders to release it<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, according to The New York Times. However, that does not negate BABA \u2014 such a move would require an act of Congress, Jason Walsh, executive director of the BlueGreen Alliance, a partnership between union and environmental groups, said in a Jan. 23 webinar. The organization supports the policy and has released a <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bluegreenalliance.org\/resources\/making-baba-work-for-american-manufacturers\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>BABA user guide<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201cBABA was authorized by a supermajority in Congress and it has strong bipartisan support, and we\u2019ve seen no indication from the new administration that it would be unsupportive,\u201d Walsh said.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Meanwhile, Trump issued <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2019\/02\/05\/2019-01426\/strengthening-buy-american-preferences-for-infrastructure-projects\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>at least<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/01\/21\/2021-01469\/encouraging-buy-american-policies-for-the-united-states-postal-service\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>three<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> Buy American executive orders during his first term, including his <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2017\/04\/21\/2017-08311\/buy-american-and-hire-american\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>2017 Buy American and Hire American order<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, which aimed to protect U.S. workers and promote job growth. He also campaigned on renewing domestic manufacturing and looks poised to continue and expand American-made mandates.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Trump and Buy America<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Though Trump has not spoken about BABA specifically, he said he wants to reform America\u2019s current trade agreements to favor U.S. manufacturing.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>To that end, Trump issued the <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/2025\/01\/america-first-trade-policy\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>America First Trade Policy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> executive order on Jan. 20. Among other things, it directs the U.S. Trade Representative to review the impact of trade agreements on the volume of federal procurement covered by Buy American and Hire American \u2014 though <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2021\/01\/28\/2021-02038\/ensuring-the-future-is-made-in-all-of-america-by-all-of-americas-workers\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Biden revoked that order<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> with his own domestic procurement policy \u2014 and to make recommendations to ensure that such agreements are being implemented in a way that favors U.S. workers and manufacturers.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The president has ordered tariffs directed at Canada, Mexico and China \u2014 though he subsequently paused those for the U.S.\u2019 neighbors \u2014 and on Feb. 11 implemented additional <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/news\/trump-steel-aluminum-tariffs\/739768\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>25% tariffs on all steel and aluminum<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> imports. He also signed an executive order Feb. 13 enacting <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.supplychaindive.com\/news\/trump-reciprocal-tariffs\/740110\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>reciprocal tariffs for all current and potential<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> trading partners. However, those <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/nuca.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Media-Statement-Tariffs-on-Critical-Infrastructure-2-12-25.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>tariffs could harm the U.S. building industry<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, according to a Feb. 12 news release from Fairfax, Virginia-based National Utility Contractors Association.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201cNUCA urges the Trump Administration to reconsider the pending tariffs on steel and aluminum, at least with regards to materials used in domestic infrastructure projects. America\u2019s construction industry already supports through practice and \u2018Buy America\u2019 regulations the use of American-manufactured products,\u201d according to NUCA\u2019s release.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>There are additional ways that the president could use federal procurement policy to advance his agenda.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.velaw.com\/insights\/trump-administration-2-0-what-government-contractors-should-expect\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Trump administration could further increase<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> the required percentages of domestic content for supplies and construction materials, or further limit the availability of BAA waivers, said Vinson &amp; Elkins legal experts in a Dec. 5 blog post. He could also leverage trade agreements.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>\u201c[Trump] could attempt to further strengthen and expand the reach of the BAA by limiting exemptions for products manufactured in countries that have entered into free trade agreements with the United States that require nondiscriminatory treatment in government procurement,\u201d according to Vinson &amp; Elkins\u2019 post.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<section class=\"storylines-carousel-wrapper hide-small show-large\" id=\"desktop-carousel\"\/>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>The president could also add new procurement regulations and federal acquisition clauses limiting opportunities for contractors that employ workers overseas or that rely on foreign subcontractors or suppliers, according to Vinson &amp; Elkins experts.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"standard-heading\"><span><span><span><strong><span><span>Biden ends key FHWA waiver<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>While Buy America has ostensibly applied for decades, the Federal Highway Administration has waived the requirement since 1983 under the rationale that certifying the origin of many products would be too costly. However, the IIJA requires federal agencies to periodically review these types of waivers, and <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2025\/01\/14\/2024-31350\/buy-america-requirements-for-manufactured-products#:~:text=This%20means%20that%2C%20to%20be,that%20are%20mined%2C%20produced%2C%20or\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>FHWA decided to end the deferral<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> right before Biden left office.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Industry groups such as the American Road and Transportation Builders Association warned that ending the long-standing deferral could <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/957a8a4b7f90\/artba-allies-urge-supreme-court-to-finally-clarify-waters-of-the-us-2702108?e=69d4679713\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>increase project costs and delays<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>. However, Trump is not expected to reverse the move, per ARTBA.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>Under the revised rule, manufactured products will need to be assembled in the United States, and more than 55% of their components by cost must be made in the U.S., according to FHWA. The agency plans to phase in these requirements: The first requirement applies to federal aid projects obligated on or after Oct. 1, 2025, and the second will begin on Oct. 1, 2026.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>There are various resources to help contractors locate compliant materials.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span><span><span><span><span><span>San Francisco-based climate tech company Ecomedes\u2019 SFTools enables contractors to <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/sftool.ecomedes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>locate Buy American-compliant<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span> building materials using the disclosures and transparencies tab. It pulls from the General Services Administration\u2019s <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/sftool.gov\/greenprocurement\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>Green Procurement Compilation resource<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>, which helps buyers working for federal agencies find sustainable materials and other items. BlueGreen Alliance\u2019s Building Clean tool can also locate <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/buildingclean.ecomedes.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span>materials covered under BABA<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><span><span><span><span><span><span>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.constructiondive.com\/news\/trump-baba-buy-america-construction\/740243\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">This article was originally posted at Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] Listen to the article 7 min This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback. Former &#8230; <a title=\"What to know about Trump\u2019s approach to BABA\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/what-to-know-about-trumps-approach-to-baba\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about What to know about Trump\u2019s approach to BABA\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[457],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-29119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-construction-dive","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29119"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29119\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29119"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}