Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Trudeau sanguine on Biden's Buy American threats

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Jan, 2021 07:43 PM
  • Trudeau sanguine on Biden's Buy American threats

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says after the last four years, he's confident Canada can safely navigate the perils of Joe Biden’s new protectionist Buy American regime.

Trudeau says it's worth remembering that Canada survived former president Donald Trump’s persistent attacks on NAFTA and Canadian steel and aluminum exporters.

And he says his federal Liberal government is far more closely aligned with the current White House than it ever was with Biden's "extremely protectionist" predecessor.

But Trudeau refused to say if Canada faces a tougher fight than in 2010, when it secured an exception to then-president Barack Obama's version of similar procurement rules.

Conservative MP Tracy Gray, the party's international trade critic, says Biden's plan to prioritize U.S. suppliers will jeopardize North America's economic recovery.

Gray says she plans to press Trudeau in the House of Commons to push back hard on the U.S., especially after last week's Day 1 decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline expansion.

"Over the past four years, we faced an American administration that was both unpredictable and extremely protectionist, and we were able every step of the way to stand up for Canadian interests," Trudeau said.

"We were there to be able to advocate for Canada's interests, and I can tell you we will continue to be effective in advocating for Canada's interests with this new administration."

The latest Buy American strategy is the second potential blow to Canada's economic fortunes to land in less than a week.

On his first day in the White House, Biden rescinded the presidential permit for Keystone XL, a controversial cross-border link between the Alberta oilsands and refineries and ports on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

"Expressing concern and disappointment on important issues to Canadian businesses and workers is simply not enough," Gray said in a statement.

"Canada and U.S. trade are closely tied — but this Buy American plan puts our mutual economic recovery at risk."

In announcing the new rules Monday, Biden warned that waivers would be granted only under "very limited circumstances."

The aim of the policy, a cornerstone of Biden's successful election campaign, was to win over the same protectionist blue-collar workers who helped elect Donald Trump in 2016.

The idea is to make sure American manufacturers, workers and suppliers reap the rewards of U.S. government spending, including an estimated $600 billion a year in procurement contracts.

Monday's executive order will set a higher threshold for what qualifies as U.S.-made, establish more stringent oversight tools and enforce the rules more rigidly.

It also sets up a "Made in America" office attached to the White House to police the use of waivers — the exceptions that allow Canadian contractors, manufacturers and suppliers access to a lucrative and often essential source of business.

That office will "review waivers to make sure they are only used in very limited circumstances — for example, when there's an overwhelming national security, humanitarian or emergency need here in America," Biden said.

"This hasn't happened before. It will happen now."

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Housing market assessments show 'resilience'

Housing market assessments show 'resilience'
Most areas had single-digit price increases with the exception of Vancouver and Squamish, which saw an average boost of 10 per cent for single-family homes.

Housing market assessments show 'resilience'

Diving incident claims the life of a 64-year-old man in West Vancouver

Diving incident claims the life of a 64-year-old man in West Vancouver
WVPD officers are currently assisting the Coroners Service with an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the man’s death

Diving incident claims the life of a 64-year-old man in West Vancouver

Wind, snowfall warnings issued for parts of B.C

Wind, snowfall warnings issued for parts of B.C
Winds of 70 to 90 kilometres per hour are expected for east and west Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast, starting late Tuesday morning and persisting into the evening.

Wind, snowfall warnings issued for parts of B.C

Vancouver Police takes armed man into custody after prolonged stand-off

Vancouver Police takes armed man into custody after prolonged stand-off
The second suspect, a 31-year-old man, remained in the same suite for several hours, however, police were able to negotiate a safe resolution.

Vancouver Police takes armed man into custody after prolonged stand-off

B.C. health order limits staff at industrial sites

B.C. health order limits staff at industrial sites
The Dec. 29 order by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says rising case counts related to the projects have led to transmissions in nearby communities, while straining the capacity of local health-care systems.

B.C. health order limits staff at industrial sites

Bad IT support hurting military operations: Report

Bad IT support hurting military operations: Report
The review found numerous problems in the technical support provided to the military by Shared Services Canada, which took over management of most federal networks in August 2011.

Bad IT support hurting military operations: Report