WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he would invoke the Defense Production Act if needed to ensure Americans are first in line for domestically produced coronavirus vaccines, although he said he did not think it would be necessary.
Trump delivered the remarks at the top of a White House summit on vaccine development and distribution just before signing an executive order intended to ensure priority access for COVID-19 vaccines procured by the U.S. government is given to the American people before assisting other nations.
Trump could use the 1950 Defense Production Act to require companies to manufacture vaccines in the United States but would have to sue to enforce the requirements.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Tim Ahmann; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
