Bid to Kill “Buy U.S.” Hinges on Provinces

(Paul Vieira — National Post)

Ottawa urges officials to open markets to U. S.

The federal government is looking to cut a deal with Washington that would persuade U. S. legislators to repeal controversial Buy American measures that Canadian firms say are costing them sales and forcing them to shed jobs.

The key element of such a pact, however, is getting the provinces and territories to open up their procurement markets to U. S. suppliers. At present, provinces and municipalities are not bound by global trade law and are free to discriminate against U. S. companies in favour of local suppliers.

International Trade Minister Stockwell Day has been in talks with the provinces to determine their willingness. If most are, Ottawa”s goal is to persuade Washington to drop the Buy American clauses on the understanding that provinces would commit to talks aimed at opening their markets. Read more here.