U.S. signals Trump’s Buy American agenda non-negotiable in NAFTA talks
OTTAWA — The U.S. appears to be signalling that President Donald Trump’s vow to aggressively promote a “buy American, hire American” agenda is not open to discussion during negotiations on a new North American Free Trade Agreement.
The Trump administration has served notice that it’s dealing with the issue outside NAFTA.
While it’s being pulled in one direction by Canada and Mexico, urging it to reduce Buy American rules for public-works contracts, and in the other direction by domestic U.S. politicians seeking an increase in Buy American, the administration has issued a reminder that it’s working on a separate path.
The U.S. government posted a notice seeking public comment on the costs and benefits of trade agreements on the operation of Buy American laws in government procurement, which appeared just as negotiators were huddled in Washington for the opening round of NAFTA talks.