OTTAWA — The Trudeau Liberals are giving tacit support to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne’s plan to introduce legislation that would allow retaliation against U.S. states that adopt Buy American policies. A spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, the minister overseeing NAFTA, demurred when asked whether the government found Wynne’s decision helpful, instead reiterating Canada’s criticism of Buy America provisions. Expansion of Buy America provisions puts these mutual benefits at risk,” said spokesman John Babcock. The Buy America problem could be solved at the state and provincial level with an agreement to open up each other’s markets for reciprocal access. Toronto-based trade lawyer Lawrence Herman said Wynne’s decision shows that Canada needs to take a tough stand in the face of American demands on NAFTA .

Source: National Post February 07, 2018 21:33 UTC