Provinces Have Only Themselves to Blame for Buy American Woes

(Barrie McKenna — Globe & Mail)

It should have been a historic moment: Ten provinces and Ottawa united in wanting a sweeping reciprocal agreement with the United States to open up the two countries’ state, provincial and local purchasing markets.

Sadly, this watershed offer comes about 10 years too late. When the hundreds of billions in stimulus money are long gone, buried under layers of asphalt, reciprocity won’t be worth nearly as much.

This is a classic case of 20-20 hindsight.

After the signing of the North American free-trade agreement, Canada had a golden opportunity to do a deal that would have averted much of today’s frustration and heartache about U.S. “Buy American” restrictions. Read more here.