White House Holds Second “Made in America” Product Showcase With a Company From Each State

The White House hosted its second “Made in America” Product Showcase on July 23, 2018, inviting one company from each of the 50 states to display products on the South Lawn.

How companies were chosen

The Moulton Advertiser reported that White House economic, national security and trade and manufacturing policy staff selected companies whose products met the Federal Trade Commission’s Made in USA standard. A White House recap restated that standard: an unqualified Made in USA product must be “all or virtually all” made in the USA, with no more than negligible foreign content.

Who took part

• Red Land Cotton of Moulton, Alabama, which makes linens from cotton grown in Lawrence and Colbert counties.
• Lanternland Lighting of Mesa, Arizona, a family business with about a dozen factory workers making handmade copper lanterns.
• Companies ranging from defense contractor Lockheed Martin to MoonPie makers, wool mills and a maker of fishing lure covers.
• The White House highlighted boots from Texas, snowboards from Colorado, F-150 trucks from Michigan and baseball bats from Pennsylvania.

“I remember, when I was growing up, I’d see ‘Made in America’ all over the place,” President Trump said at the event. “And we’re starting that again.” He also used his remarks to criticize trade practices by China and the European Union.

Simon Lester of the Cato Institute told Cronkite News that tariffs would cost more jobs than they save and could add $1,000 to $7,000 to the price of a car.

FAQ

When was the showcase held?

July 23, 2018, on the White House South Lawn. It was the second annual event.

How were companies selected?

One company per state, chosen for products that met the FTC’s Made in USA standard, according to the Moulton Advertiser.

What does the FTC standard require?

An unqualified Made in USA product must be all or virtually all made in the USA.