U.S. Protectionism a Threat to North America: Stockwell Day

(Sheldon Alberts — Canwest News Service)

International Trade Minister Stockwell Day on Tuesday warned that rising protectionism in the United States threatens to trigger retaliatory measures in Canada, with “cascading effects” on both economies as North America tries to emerge from recession.

Following two days of meetings with senior members of the Obama administration in the U.S., Mr. Day said there are growing fears that ‘Buy American’ provisions in U.S. economic stimulus legislation will prevent Canadian businesses from having the chance to bid on U.S. infrastructure projects.

“There are provisions being put in place which are effectively closing the door to procurement from Canadian companies, suppliers and producers,” Mr. Day said in a speech to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “It is a textbook case of how when doors begin to close, and when trade barriers go up, economies go down.” Read more here.