Buy American exemption deal in the works

[CHIMO]

Source: CBC News

A deal may be imminent that will exempt Canada from the controversial Buy American provision included in the U.S. stimulus package, CBC News has learned.

According to Canadian government sources, Ottawa expects that the White House will use its discretionary power to exempt Canada from the clause very soon. In return, Canada would simultaneously announce that its provincial and municipal doors are now wide open to U.S. companies.

Sources say the announcement could be made when the two trade negotiators, Ottawa's Don Stephenson and Washington's Everett Eissenstat hold their first formal meeting.

The provision gives priority to U.S. iron, steel and other manufactured goods for use in state-level and municipal public works and building projects funded with taxpayer stimulus money. Canadian governments and businesses have railed against the policy.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/09/29/buy-american.html

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Last Updated: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 | 9:01 PM ET

[tomm2thumbs]

1. hmmm.. Candian companies who get free healthcare vs. US who have to provide it? who will win?

I just can't imagine

[Dawson Leery]

2. In fairness, competition with Canada is better

than competing with sweatshops in Asia.

I understand the problem with health care costs, though I am pessimistic that anything will be done.
I know that a single payer option is out of the question. :-(

[tomm2thumbs]

3. Welcome to DU !

:hi:

[Dawson Leery]

5. Hello!

:hi:
:dem:

[BunkerHill24]

4. Excellent point, Dawson Leery

[Vidar]

11. Welcome to DU. Unfortunately I have to agree about health care.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

13. Yes, it is the Canadians fault we are too stupid and selfish for universal healthcare

It isn't your fault if you win the race because your opponent chewed off their own legs.

[XemaSab]

6. My question is what is the trade balance between the US and Canada?

:shrug:

[CHIMO]

7. For Jan 2009

It is 2.5 billion.
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c1220.html#2009

[XemaSab]

8. It's depressing that a country that is a fraction of our size can out-manufacture us

:(

[CHIMO]

9. They Don't

They pollute their country for money. Of course it isn't individuals doing it but corporations.
We all want democratic Capitalism!

[Psephos]

12. Canada can't outmanufacture the US...it's not even close.

I mean it's REALLY not even close. The US industrial (i.e., mfg) economy alone is about $2.5 trillion. Canada's total gross domestic product (the ENTIRE economy) is about $1.3 trillion.

The imbalance in trade results from oil. Canada is by far the largest supplier of oil to the US, providing roughly half of all that we import.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

10. the balance of trade numbers with Canada don't mean much

since a significant portion of Canada - US Trade is trade is based on entirely US owned assets that reside in Canada.

[Oregone]

17. Canada buys more finished goods from the US than vice versa

But oil/energy offsets the balance in Canada's favor. You want to fix this, go drill ANWR and off the coast. In the meantime, this is the price of NIMBY. This is the price to pretend you are all pro-environment. Outsource pollution and pay a fee since you don't want those jobs.

[safeinOhio]

14. I'm glad they watched the South Park movie.

Don't need no war with Canada.

[w4rma]

15. Fine with me. It's the nations that have cheap labor available which are the concern. (nt)

[Oregone]

16. Prediction: Price for exemption == more bodies/fodder in Afghanistan

The details will come out