Agencies

The president also said his administration would replenish the strategic national stockpile of medical equipment with 90 days worth of supplies.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP on Thursday said he signed an executive order to grant new authority to the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to finance industries vital to the pandemic response.

"This federal agency normally invests in economic development projects in other countries," Trump said, speaking at a medical equipment distribution facility in Pennsylvania. "I said, 'How about investing in our country?'"

The White House said in a statement that the order will help strengthen the supply chain and provide more financing to "key industries producing vital goods and services."

"Under my order it will now also invest in our country, helping to bring vital factories, pharmaceutical producers and most importantly jobs back home where they belong," Trump said.