'No more waivers like candy': Trump targeted the loophole costing US taxpayers billions

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump, on Sunday, May 10, launched a new push to force federal agencies to prioritize American-made goods, declaring that taxpayer money should no longer be used to purchase foreign products when domestic alternatives are available.

In a fiery statement posted on Truth Social, Trump accused federal agencies of spending billions overseas for decades while American workers, manufacturers, and supply chains were left behind.

Trump declares end to foreign-first federal spending

The president highlighted the move as part of an economic nationalism agenda, promising stricter enforcement, fewer exemptions and a sweeping crackdown on what he described as government abuse of purchasing loopholes.

In his statement, Trump left little room for interpretation. “All federal agencies must buy American, no excuses!” he wrote.

He then accused previous administrations of allowing US taxpayer money to benefit foreign economies instead of supporting domestic industry.

“For decades, Washington politicians sent your taxpayer dollars overseas and let foreign countries rip us off while our workers, factories, and supply chains were left behind,” Trump said. “That betrayal is over.”

Trump said his administration is now tightening enforcement of 'Made in America' procurement rules across the federal government.

According to the president, agencies will face closer scrutiny before being allowed to purchase foreign-made products.

Waivers and exemptions now in the crosshairs

A major focus of Trump’s message was the use of waivers, special exemptions that allow federal departments to bypass domestic sourcing requirements under certain circumstances.

Trump made it clear he believes that system has been abused for years.

“No more handing out waivers like candy,” he wrote. “No more rubber-stamping exceptions for foreign products while American workers get shafted.”

The administration says the goal is to ensure that if a comparable American-made product exists, federal agencies must choose it first.

Trump argued that government procurement should directly strengthen US factories and rebuild industrial capacity.

“We are putting American workers, American factories, and American supply chains first,” he said. “Bigger, better, and stronger than ever before.”

He also used the announcement to highlight a previous executive order aimed at cracking down on false domestic manufacturing claims.

He referenced Executive Order 14392, which his administration says was designed to stop companies from misleading consumers and government buyers with fake 'Made in America' labels.

“I already signed EO 14392 to crack down on fake ‘Made in America’ claims, and we are enforcing it hard,” Trump said.

He added, “No more games. No more fake labels. No more ripping off the American taxpayer.”