Buy America lives on

[CHIMO]

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the United States Congress has no intention of backing down on the "Buy America" strings attached to its stimulus funding. And the Obama administration has neither the clout nor the will to push Congress.

Our own government is unwilling to admit that the talks with the Americans have stalled. "It's step-by-step process," says federal Trade Minister Stockwell Day. "It's not going to happen overnight, but we're moving in the right direction."

Keener observers than Day think otherwise. Says Jason Myers of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters: "The Americans are not convinced this is a major problem."

While Canadian appeals for an exemption from Buy America are falling on deaf ears in Washington, Congress is paying attention to the pitches from U.S. unions and manufacturers. They oppose exemptions for Canada or anyone else. As the Star's Les Whittington has reported, some of the companies that are lobbying hardest to keep Buy America rules in place are also winning big procurement contracts here in Canada. Talk about having it both ways.

http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/729286--buy-america-lives-on

So where is Iggy on this? And where are the Liberals on this?

Not much wonder they are sinking into oblivion!