Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended

President Trump determined that domestic production capability for precursor materials for munitions is essential to national defense under the Defense Production Act, finding that U.S. industry cannot reasonably provide this capability without presidential action. The determination authorizes use of DPA Section 303 authorities to support this defense industrial base sector.

Federal Register Open PDF 84 FR 207

Impact dates

Jan 16, 2019
Determination effective; DPA Section 303 authorities activated for precursor materials for munitions

Key directives

Determine domestic production capability for precursor materials for munitions essential to national defense under DPA Section 303(a)(5)
Authorize and direct publication of memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of Defense · Department of Defense

Timeline

Immediate

Determination takes effect upon signing; DPA Section 303 authorities become available for precursor materials for munitions

Near term (90d)

Potential DPA-funded purchases or purchase commitments for domestic precursor material production capability

Long term

Sustained domestic munitions supply chain resilience; potential long-term industrial base investments

Risks & tensions

Limited detail on scope of intended DPA purchases or commitments creates implementation uncertainty
Precursor materials for munitions often involve specialized chemicals with limited domestic suppliers; supply chain concentration risk
Cost-effectiveness claim ('most cost-effective, expedient, and practical alternative') may be contested by competing procurement approaches
Document does not specify dollar amounts, specific companies, or geographic scope of intended action