Made in America Week, 2025
7/25/2025
Action Summary
- Proclamation Purpose: Declare July 20–26, 2025 as Made in America Week to honor the nation’s manufacturing heritage and reaffirm commitment to domestic production and innovation.
- Historical and Cultural Legacy: Emphasize America’s long history of skilled manufacturing and innovation, contrasting it with past globalist trends that outsourced jobs and weakened domestic industries.
- Economic and Trade Initiatives:
- Modernize and enforce trade agreements based on fairness and reciprocity.
- Implement strong enforcement actions against trading partners violating fair trade rules.
- Investment and Industry Support:
- Establish the United States Investment Accelerator via an Executive Order to facilitate investments exceeding $1 billion in America.
- Issue a Presidential Memorandum to bolster foreign investment while protecting national security.
- Enact policies under the historic One Big Beautiful Bill, including interest deductions for loans on American-made vehicles and 100% expensing for new factories and equipment.
- Consumer Protection and Enforcement: Direct the Federal Trade Commission to target false “Made in the U.S.A.” claims to ensure product authenticity and support American craftsmanship.
- Economic Impact: Highlight significant domestic and foreign investments, increased manufacturing capabilities, and job growth credited to America First policies.
- Patriotic Call to Action: Urge all Americans to honor the hardworking builders, entrepreneurs, and laborers who contribute to making America great.
Risks & Considerations
- The proclamation emphasizes a strong focus on domestic manufacturing and investment, which could lead to increased competition for resources and talent within the United States. This may impact Vanderbilt University’s ability to attract and retain top faculty and researchers, particularly in fields related to manufacturing and engineering.
- There is a potential risk that the emphasis on “Made in the U.S.A.” could lead to stricter regulations and scrutiny on imported goods and international collaborations. This might affect Vanderbilt’s partnerships with foreign institutions and its ability to engage in international research projects.
- The focus on domestic production and investment could result in shifts in federal funding priorities, potentially impacting grants and financial support for research initiatives at Vanderbilt that are not directly aligned with these national priorities.
- Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes in national economic policy could affect its strategic planning, particularly in terms of curriculum development and industry partnerships.
Impacted Programs
- School of Engineering at Vanderbilt may see increased demand for expertise in manufacturing and innovation, presenting opportunities for collaboration with domestic industries and government agencies.
- Owen Graduate School of Management might need to adjust its programs to focus more on domestic business strategies and entrepreneurship, aligning with the national emphasis on American-made products and services.
- The Office of International Affairs could face challenges in maintaining and expanding international partnerships, necessitating a reevaluation of its strategies to ensure compliance with new regulations and policies.
- Vanderbilt’s research centers focused on global trade and economics may need to pivot their focus to align with the national agenda on domestic production and investment.
Financial Impact
- The reallocation of federal funds towards domestic manufacturing and investment initiatives could impact the funding landscape for research and development at Vanderbilt, particularly in areas not directly related to these priorities.
- Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its funding opportunities, particularly if federal discretionary grants prioritize projects that support domestic production and innovation. This could necessitate adjustments in grant application strategies and partnerships.
- There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in manufacturing and innovation, particularly through collaborations with the Department of Commerce and other federal agencies.
- As domestic production becomes more prevalent, there could be a shift in the demographics of students applying to Vanderbilt, potentially affecting tuition revenue and financial aid distribution.
Relevance Score: 3 (The proclamation presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential shifts in funding priorities.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments related to the United States Investment Accelerator and explore opportunities for collaboration or funding that could benefit the university’s research and development initiatives. Engaging with the Department of Commerce could provide insights into potential partnerships or projects that align with Vanderbilt’s strategic goals.
- The Vanderbilt Center for Entrepreneurship should consider leveraging the focus on domestic manufacturing and innovation to support startups and small businesses within the university community. By aligning with the “Made in the U.S.A.” initiative, the center can foster entrepreneurship that contributes to local and national economic growth.
- Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should assess the potential impact of policies promoting domestic production on its curriculum and research programs. By integrating these themes into educational offerings, the school can prepare students for careers in industries that are expected to grow under these policies.
- The Vanderbilt Institute for Public Policy Studies should conduct research on the economic and social impacts of the “Made in America” policies. This research can provide valuable insights into how these policies affect different sectors and communities, positioning Vanderbilt as a thought leader in policy analysis.
Opportunities
- The emphasis on domestic manufacturing and innovation presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Research Centers to secure funding for projects that align with national priorities. By focusing on areas such as advanced manufacturing, materials science, and sustainable production, the university can attract investments and enhance its research capabilities.
- Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on American-made products by developing partnerships with local manufacturers and industry leaders. These collaborations could include joint research initiatives, internships, and workforce development programs that benefit both the university and the broader community.
- The university can enhance its reputation and influence by hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of “Made in America” policies. These events can bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and academics to discuss the future of American manufacturing and innovation.
Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to align Vanderbilt’s programs and initiatives with the national focus on domestic manufacturing and innovation.)
Timeline for Implementation
- Made in America Week will be observed from July 20, 2025 to July 26, 2025.
Relevance Score: 5
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of Commerce: An Executive Order establishes the United States Investment Accelerator within the Department of Commerce to facilitate investments over $1 billion in American manufacturing.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): The FTC is specifically directed to enforce and monitor the truthful use of the “Made in the U.S.A.” label, preventing misleading claims about product origins.
Relevance Score: 1 (Only 1 or 2 agencies are specifically affected by this presidential action.)
Responsible Officials
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Directed to enforce compliance by cracking down on sellers falsely labeling products as “Made in the U.S.A.”
- Department of Commerce – Charged with establishing and operating the United States Investment Accelerator office to facilitate investments over $1 billion.
Relevance Score: 4 (Directives impact agency heads responsible for executing major economic and regulatory initiatives.)