Buy America Policy Now a Big ‘Concern’

(Toronto Star)

The federal Conservatives, who once downplayed the impact of Buy America clauses in the United States, are changing their tune and now concede it’s a major concern for Canada’s economy.

Industry Minister Tony Clement yesterday expressed worry about growing U.S. protectionism, saying he is hearing that Canadian companies are being disadvantaged by the application of Buy America provisions on contracts being let in the U.S.

“I’m concerned about it,” Clement told reporters. “It’s incumbent upon us to make sure that the Americans live up to their trade obligations, their treaty obligations under WTO (World Trade Organization) and under NAFTA.”

His remarks came a day after Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters warned Canadian companies are being shut out of crucial U.S. markets by rules barring foreign-made products from being used in public works projects funded from President Barack Obama’s $787 billion (U.S.) economic stimulus package.