Buy American: Creating or Costing U.S. Jobs? November 17, 2009

Trade analysts and the American public have given mixed reviews on the effectiveness of the Obama administration’s stimulus package, particularly its Buy American provisions.

The provision prompted considerable concern in Canada that such measures would disrupt cross-border trade with its largest trading partner, and could be a sign that the United States was leaning toward favoring protectionism to help its ailing economy.

At the August summit in Guadalajara, Prime Minister Harper raised the issue in strong terms with President Obama, who assured those gathered that the provision had little effect on the large volume of trade between Canada and the United States. This assertion has contributed to a growing debate on whether concerns regarding Buy American are justified.

Please join the Canada Institute for a timely discussion on the economic impact of Buy American. The program will feature remarks from Dawn Champney, President of the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufactures Association; Robert Baugh, Executive Director, Industrial Union Council, AFL-CIO; Jeffrey Schott, Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics; and Christopher Whatley, Director, Washington Office, The Council of State Governments.

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