Editorial: Barrier on Main Street

(Globe and Mail)

“Buy American” policies are lamentably alive and well, and somewhat strengthened, in a new $154-billion (U.S.) stimulus bill that was passed by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The White House should press for the relevant clauses to be removed, so that it is not passed with this protectionist element by the Senate next year. Canada needs to lobby harder.

Once the Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010 reaches the desk of Barack Obama, it would be too much to hope that the President will veto the whole bill for the sake of friendship with Canada or free-trade principles, or indeed for the convenience of integrated North American supply chains. If it is going to be amended, that will have to happen in the Senate. Read more here.