Canada denounces Obama ‘buy American’ proposal

This could go against bilateral agreements:

Canada: Canada said Wednesday it would raise objections to US President Barack Obama’s jobs plan, contending the “buy American” provision could go against free trade principles as well as bilateral agreements.

“In this fragile economic recovery, we know history has shown protectionist measures stall growth and kill jobs,” Canada’s International Trade Minister Ed Fast said in a statement.

Fast said the US administration was including “buy American” provisions as a part of its infrastructure funding proposal.

“Our government is committed to delivering free trade leadership and Canadians can count on our government to defend free and open trade on the world stage,” he said.

“I have instructed Canadian officials to initiate the consultation process that was established as part of the 2010 Canada-US Agreement on Government Procurement.

“Our government will raise with the Obama administration and Congress concerns regarding measures that impede access for Canadian workers and businesses to the US market, as we did for earlier US stimulus programs.”

Ottawa, Thursday, AFP