Obama Too Busy to Worry About Trade Woes

(Barbara Yaffe — Vancouver Sun)

Bid to overturn Buy American regulations won’t have much effect while the U.S. president’s distracted by huge health-care reform challenge

If you’re a U.S. president confronting a 9.7-per-cent jobless rate and desperately seeking congressional support for health-care reform, what are the chances you’ll focus on fighting "Buy American" trade provisions?

None.

But while U.S. protectionist provisions are unlikely to stir Barack Obama, they’re becoming a big political headache for Stephen Harper.

A meeting between the president and the prime minister is set for Sept. 16 in Washington, D.C., and the pressure will be on Harper to get results.

Additionally, the autumn looks like it will be a highly charged political season for Harper. A non-confidence vote looms the week of Sept. 28, potentially triggering an election — an ideal time for the PM to score a coup on U.S. protectionism.

Read the complete editorial here.