Federal Crackdown Targets Misleading Origin Claims as SBA and GSA Strengthen Enforcement of Domestic Sourcing Requirements
The Trump administration has removed nearly two dozen foreign-made products from the federal government’s approved purchasing platform after an investigation found they were being falsely marketed as “Made in America,” officials announced Friday.
The joint enforcement action by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the General Services Administration (GSA) resulted in the removal of 22 foreign-manufactured flatware products from GSA Advantage!, the primary online procurement platform used by federal agencies. The action followed a three-week investigation.
The crackdown comes in the wake of the recent White House Small Business Summit, where President Donald Trump and SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler met with domestic manufacturers to discuss vulnerabilities in the federal marketplace.
The enforcement effort stems from an Executive Order issued by Trump directing federal agencies and the Federal Trade Commission to aggressively pursue fraudulent “Made in America” claims. The order is intended to eliminate deceptive advertising practices on commercial online marketplaces and strengthen verification procedures within government supply chains.
“When foreign companies were caught falsely claiming ‘Made in America’ status in the federal procurement system, Trump directed the SBA and GSA to take aggressive action,” Loeffler said, emphasizing a “zero-tolerance policy on waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Loopholes in the Supply Chain
The federal investigation was launched after executives at Sherrill Manufacturing, the only remaining producer of 100 percent American-made stainless steel flatware, raised concerns that competitors based in China were falsely claiming domestic origin on the GSA platform.
According to the company, the products in question were only partially assembled or finished in the United States, despite being marketed as American-made.
Such practices violate federal sourcing requirements, including the Buy American Act and the Trade Agreements Act, which govern federal purchasing standards. They may also conflict with the Berry Amendment, which requires certain items purchased for military use—including flatware—to be entirely produced within the United States.
“The Trump Administration is sending a clear message that we will not tolerate foreign impostors that hijack Made in America labels, or those that undercut honest, generational, American small businesses like Sherrill Manufacturing,” Loeffler said.
Broader Support for Domestic Manufacturing
The enforcement action is part of a broader legislative and administrative effort to strengthen domestic supply chains. For companies such as Sherrill Manufacturing, which has supplied the U.S. military since World War I, foreign competition based on misleading origin claims presents a significant challenge.
Matthew Roberts, Co-Founder and CEO of Sherrill Manufacturing, expressed appreciation for Trump, Loeffler, and GSA Administrator Ed Forst, thanking them for their continued efforts to “keep American manufacturing alive and restore pride in products made in the USA.”
He said that prioritizing American-made goods “strengthens our economy, supports domestic industry, protects critical supply chains, and ensures that government agencies receive high-quality products made from American steel.”
To further support domestic manufacturing, the SBA has introduced several financial incentives for Fiscal Year 2026. These measures include a new 90 percent “Made in America” loan guarantee program designed for small manufacturers, as well as the “Make Onshoring Great Again” Portal, a digital directory launched last year that connects small businesses with more than one million domestic suppliers.
During his first term in office, Trump also issued executive actions requiring the maximum use of U.S.-sourced foundational materials, including iron, aluminum, and cement.
