Military trade deals end up hurting U.S. industry

Topline: The United States government purchases an average of $5.2 billion of military supplies from foreign countries each year, but the Pentagon and Department of Commerce “haven’t fully determined whether the agreements help or hurt U.S. industry,” according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office.

Key facts: The Department of Defense has Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreements with 28 countries. The agreements supersede the Buy American Act, which requires federal...