New Executive Order Targets False “Made in USA” Claims

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On March 13, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order directing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prioritize enforcement of false “Made in America” claims.

“Americans have a right to clear, accurate, substantiated, and accessible information regarding whether products advertised as “Made in America” are actually made in the United States,” the order states.  “Yet in the age of the modern digital marketplace, foreign manufacturers and sellers represent that their products are made in the United States to target patriotic consumers when, in fact, those products are largely produced and manufactured in other countries.”

The executive order includes several directives:

  • FTC enforcement priority. The FTC is directed to prioritize enforcement actions in cases involving unlawful “Made in America” or “Made in USA” claims.
  • Online marketplace oversight. The FTC is directed to consider issuing proposed regulations providing that an online marketplace’s failure to establish procedures to verify country-of-origin claims may constitute an unfair or deceptive practice under the FTC Act.
  • Country-of-origin labeling guidance. Federal agencies with country-of-origin labeling authority, in consultation with the FTC, are directed to consider new regulations and guidance promoting voluntary country-of-origin labeling for products made or manufactured in the United States.
  • Federal procurement verification. Agencies responsible for government-wide acquisition contracts and schedules must periodically verify American-origin claims for products acquired through those contracts and refer violators to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).

Even before the executive order, the FTC had signaled increased scrutiny of “Made in USA” claims.  The agency designated July 2025 as “Made in the USA” Month and sent warning letters to four manufacturers regarding potentially deceptive origin claims.  The FTC also contacted Amazon and Walmart, urging both platforms to strengthen oversight of claims made by third-party seller.

Enforcement activity is also occurring in federal procurement.  DOJ is currently prosecuting two federal contractors who allegedly misrepresented the origins of forklifts sold to the US government.

For more information on the FTC’s “all or virtually all” standard governing “Made in USA” claims, visit the FTC’s website.