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On June 14th, 2009, the Globe and Mail published an op-ed piece by Chuck as part of a panel discussing the "Buy America" provisions in the United States' Federal Stimulus Bill. Chuck's article states:
THE WRONG MESSAGE:
Canadian municipalities have promised retaliation against American suppliers as a result of the Buy America rules that require the purchase of iron, steel and manufactured goods produced in the United States. Canada is dependent on market access to the United States and threatening retaliation could anger the most protectionist Congress in recent memory and might encourage new border or other protectionist measures.
The municipalities threatened retaliation even though the provinces failed to sign onto the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement in 1994 or to liberalize procurement under NAFTA Article 1024. As a result, Canadians are excluded from the government procurement of forty states, including New York, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
The municipalities would argue that the WTO and NAFTA procurement agreements would not open up American municipal procurement. While true, this is a poor reason not to lock in as much market access as possible.
Instead of threatening retaliation, Canadian municipalities should pressure the provinces to sign onto WTO and NAFTA procurement rules. The provinces and the municipalities should then prepare an offer of enhanced procurement access for American goods and services. Canada could then take up the United States Trade Representative’s willingness to discuss a reciprocal deal on government procurement, or to breathe new life into the NAFTA procurement negotiations.
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