WASHINGTON — President Trump issued an executive order this week invoking the Defense Production Act to battle the coronavirus pandemic, but his advisers have resisted making aggressive use of the law to mobilize private industry. Mr. Trump has given mixed signals about whether his administration has actually used the law at all to spur the production of scarce and necessary items like ventilators; testing kits; and protective masks, gloves, and gowns. Here is an explanation of the law. What is the Defense Production Act? It is a law that permits the federal government to impose some control over private-sector industry to ensure the production of material that is deemed necessary for national defense.

Source: New York Times March 21, 2020 00:11 UTC