Canada seeks Buy American exemption

[CHIMO]

Source: CBC News

Canada is seeking an exemption from the new Buy American provisions in U.S. President Barack Obama's proposed jobs act, weeks before the exemption for the previous stimulus is set to expire.

Minister of International Trade Ed Fast, citing concerns over a potential "trade barrier initiative," has launched a round of consultations with Washington to negotiate an extension for a Canadian exemption before a Sept. 30 deadline.

Obama's proposed $447-billion US American Jobs Act is intended to give a much-needed jolt to a stalled U.S. economy, but in an interview with Evan Solomon on CBC's Power & Politics Wednesday, Fast characterized the bill as misguided.

"We believe that protectionism is counterproductive, especially during these difficult economic times around the world," the minister said, adding that 75 per cent of Canada's trade is with the U.S.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2011/09/14/buy-american-clause-ed-fast.html

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Sep 14, 2011 6:27 PM ET

[socialshockwave]

1. If Obama does this it'll cripple our economy.

Thanks, Barack.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

3. That's unfortunate.

However American jobs come first, he's the President of the United States. I fully support using American tax dollars to only purchase American steel and iron. Canadians would be wise to adopt their own buy Canadian legislation but Bush Jr up there wouldn't allow it. If we're lucky this will be the mess that dissolves NAFTA.

[Monk06]

2. Not to mention it will be a clear violation of NAFTA. For instance

because of NAFTA we are not allowed to sell our own oil
to Canadian citizens cheaper than what we charge the US.
So even though we have an abundance of domestic oil, we
have to buy it at world prices. How would Obama like
to see that rule thrown overboard?

If this goes through without an exemption NAFTA is dead and
you'll sea a new pipline from Peace River to Prince Rupert.

The Japanese and Chinese will be more than happy to buy our oil.

And don't get me started on the Softwood and Beef embargoes.

[CHIMO]

4. Former premier Lougheed calls Keystone pipeline a bad deal for Alberta

The divisions between old-style Progressive Conservatives and the next generation of Tory leaders were on full display Tuesday as former premier Peter Lougheed said he doesn't agree with the movement of refinery jobs south - specifically down the Keystone XL pipeline to the U.S.

It's a policy stance that has been carried by Alberta unions and opposition parties, but stands in stark contrast to much of what is being said by the candidates in the race to replace the departing Premier Ed Stelmach.

``What Keystone gives us is an opportunity to continue to have a lot of strong economic development in the province,'' candidate Alison Redford said on Tuesday. ``At this point in time, in terms of how our economy is structured, Keystone makes sense.''

TransCanada Pipelines Ltd.'s proposed pipeline system expansion would run from Alberta through the U.S. to the oil-thirsty refineries of the Gulf Coast. But the controversial project has not yet been given final approval in the U.S.

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Former+premier+Lougheed+calls+Keystone+pipeline+deal+Alberta/5402887/story.html

[polly7]

5. Yes, scrap NAFTA. We need our own version of protectionism, we also count.

I'm so bloody sick of our habitats being exploited for the benefit of others, what's good for one is good for all.

[Arctic Dave]

6. I do not diagree with you at all.

Canada should be for Canada first. Then when they cannot produce it then it should look out it's borders. IMO, this should be the way all countries think.

[polly7]

7. I thought that's what I had said, at least it's what I meant to say. Yes, I agree with you. nt.

[No Elephants]

8. Some in the U.S. would prefer to turm time back to the point before NAFTA was enacted.

Choose between the possibility of higher price for oil and NAFTA?

Cancel the Canada to Texas pipeline environmentalists are opposing?

Some think that paying more for oil is not the worst of all possible scenarios for Americans between the Canadian and Mexican borders of the United States.

[KamaAina]

10. Remember, the U.S. and Canada had an FTA before NAFTA was enacted.

The big deal about NAFTA was that it brought in Mexico, a developing country, into a trade zone that had been composed of relative equals.

[Cool Logic]

9. Oil is a commodity...the price is the same everywhere on the planet.

[whosinpower]

11. This sounds so straightforward - yes?

Buy American - means to buy american to preserve american jobs. I get that. I actually agree with it - and I am canadian.

Here is the issue though - what if, as an example....Canadian steel is owned by american companies....are those US firms not allowed to bid?

Actually - even that is fine by me - because multinationals hold no loyalty to anyone other than their shareholders. But -you have to know that there will be US firms who mine and manufacture stuff in Canada that will want a chance to compete for the stimulus dollars.

It is not so black and white - that is all I am saying.

Anyhow - I am canadian, and I think our government should just keep their noses out of it - and focus on canadian jobs IN CANADA.