Loom Works Carpets

How the Trump administration’s $20 billion rug-bombing scheme ended in a $5 million fine

The Trump administration announced a $10 million fine on Thursday for failing to enforce a rule requiring U.S. rug manufacturers to make the carpets in the United States.

The order issued by Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke on April 28 required rug makers to produce in the U.K. and Ireland, where they were imported, at least 20 percent of the finished carpets.

However, in March, the United Kingdom told the Trump Administration it would not comply with the order and would instead ship the finished product to the United Sates, meaning the rug maker had to buy from other countries.

After receiving complaints from rug buyers, the U