CME CALLS FOR RECIPROCITY IN GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT

Dennis Darby, President & CEO of Canadian Manufacturers & Exports issued today the following statement regarding the US decision to expand the scope of Buy American:

“With respect to the recent Executive Order by the US President encouraging more domestic content requirements for federal government procurement, CME has contacted the Minister of Global Affairs and the Minister of International Trade Diversification, to express our industry’s concern with such a policy and to call for reciprocal measures for Canadian government procurement.  It is imperative that we have a fair and level playing field for our manufacturers to ensure the strength and prosperity of our communities.” CME has consistently stated that Buy American policies violate the spirit of free trade and the Canadian Government must respond in kind to such measures with its own  CME advocated for reciprocity in government procurement during the NAFTA renegotiations- the Government agreed and made it a priority. Reciprocity is therefore fundamental to free trade and without it, Canadian manufacturers lose out. Simply put, Canadian and American manufacturers must enjoy equal access to each other’s government procurement markets for free trade to work.