One of the dumbest policy decisions to come out of the US in a very long time. Do you think we can throw up an oil embargo?
In a sharply worded letter to Democratic and Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate, the Canadian government warned Monday the United States will "lose the moral authority" to stave off global trade protectionism if it retains controversial "Buy American" provisions in its $819-billion economic stimulus plan.
"If Buy America becomes part of the stimulus legislation, the United States will lose the moral authority to pressure others not to introduce protectionist policies," Michael Wilson, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., said in the letter.
It was sent to Senator Harry Reid, the Democratic majority leader, and Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader.
"A rush of protectionist actions could create a downward spiral like the world experienced in the 1930s," Wilson adds. "We are your largest single customer. If either of our governments were to introduce new barriers or preferences at this time, we would load increased costs and burdens onto businesses, cause delay, disrupt and distort the way businesses have organized themselves in our two countries, and decrease North American competitiveness, thereby killing jobs rather than creating them."
Hours before Wilson's letter was sent to the Senate leader, McConnell had himself publicly urged lawmakers to remove the Buy American clause.
In a sharply worded letter to Democratic and Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate, the Canadian government warned Monday the United States will "lose the moral authority" to stave off global trade protectionism if it retains controversial "Buy American" provisions in its $819-billion economic stimulus plan.
"If Buy America becomes part of the stimulus legislation, the United States will lose the moral authority to pressure others not to introduce protectionist policies," Michael Wilson, Canada's ambassador to the U.S., said in the letter.
It was sent to Senator Harry Reid, the Democratic majority leader, and Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader.
"A rush of protectionist actions could create a downward spiral like the world experienced in the 1930s," Wilson adds. "We are your largest single customer. If either of our governments were to introduce new barriers or preferences at this time, we would load increased costs and burdens onto businesses, cause delay, disrupt and distort the way businesses have organized themselves in our two countries, and decrease North American competitiveness, thereby killing jobs rather than creating them."
Hours before Wilson's letter was sent to the Senate leader, McConnell had himself publicly urged lawmakers to remove the Buy American clause.
.....Talkin the goddam talk and walkin the walk is two different things.