Make In US Campaign: Trump's pharma executive order requires US govt to buy essential drugs from US firms

But Trump's order comes after an initial scramble within the United States to obtain medical supplies and equipment at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, much of which has been produced or sourced from abroad.

Earlier in the pandemic, Trump invoked the Defence Production Act to compel American companies to produce medical supplies and equipment.

Thursday's order marks what the US administration sees as a solution in the case in case there's another spike in demand for medical supplies. CNN said the move will undoubtedly mark a shift in the way the US sources its drugs and medical supplies moving forward.

"The executive order will require that US government agencies purchase all the essential medicines that we need from American sources," said Trump during a speech at a washing machine plant in Ohio.

"The executive order will also sweep away unnecessary regulatory barriers to domestic pharmaceutical production and support advanced manufacturing processes that will keep our drug prices low and allow American companies to compete on the world's stage."

White House trade adviser Peter Navarro said the United States is "dangerously over-dependent on foreign nations for our essential medicines, for medical supplies ... and medical equipment like ventilators."

The order "establishes a base level of demand to attract a level of investment sufficient to provide for the needs we have for these things we need in times of trouble," said Navarro.