U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the 10th (local time) encouraging the purchase of plastic straws. Earlier, Trump noted on the social media platform Truth Social on the 7th, "I will sign an executive order to end the push for paper straws by former President Joe Biden next week," adding, "Paper straws are ineffective. Let's go back to plastic."
The executive order signed by Trump stated that paper straws are less functional, may use chemicals that are harmful to human health, and have higher production expenses than plastic straws. At the same time, Trump directed the federal government to stop purchasing paper straws.
During his first term, Trump also encouraged the use of plastic straws instead of paper straws. However, Democrats have adopted paper straws as an environmentally friendly alternative, and in several Democratic-leaning states, including California and New York, laws limiting the use of plastic straws unless requested by customers are currently in effect.