Canadian Chamber objects to further Buy American restrictions and calls for governments to avoid rolling back market access commitments

OTTAWA – January 25, 2021 – The Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Senior Director of International Policy, Mark Agnew, issued the following statement today in response to the Buy American Executive Order signed by U.S. President Joe Biden.

“Today’s announcement confirms our view that a lack of Canada-specific targeting in Buy America rules does not equate to a Canadian exemption from these unilateral restrictions by the U.S. government.

Buy American restrictions remain a perennial problem for Canadian businesses seeking to access government contracts with our largest trading partner. The rules have progressively tightened over the years, and today’s announcement represents another unhelpful step to make it more difficult for Canadian businesses to secure contracts in the U.S.

In this deeply uncertain period, Canada and the U.S. should find ways to deepen opportunities for businesses to strengthen their cross border supply chains. Canadian components play a critical role in the economic and national security of the U.S. Although the full impact of today’s announcement will take time to cascade to different parts of the U.S.  government, its chilling effect on business will be acutely felt north of the border.

Additionally, we are concerned by the suggestion that trade rule modernization could become an exercise to loosen obligations and encourage further buy local policies. We call on the Canadian government to ensure market access commitments made by our trading partners are not rolled back. The Canadian government should be looking at all options to protect the jobs and livelihoods of Canadian exporting businesses.”

About the Canadian Chamber of Commerce – Because Business Matters

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce helps build the businesses that support our families, our communities and our country. We do this by influencing government policy, by providing essential business services and by connecting businesses to information they can use, to opportunities for growth and to a network of local chambers, businesses, decision-makers and peers from across the country, in every sector of the economy and at all levels of government, as well as internationally. We are unapologetic in our support for business and the vital role it plays in building and sustaining our great nation.

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For more information, please contact: Phil Taylor
ptaylor@chamber.ca (preferred and fastest response time)