Complaints about Buy-American provisions contained in the economic-stimulus measure are growing louder in the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters say that the problem is focused on the estimated $280 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds that are being administered by states and localities, including aid for drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities and other infrastructure sectors.
"It is really apparent to us that Buy-American requirements are having a major impact on projects administered by state and local government," says Myron Brilliant, the Chamber's senior vice president responsible for international issues. He says that if the provisions aren't applied consistently, "We could have declining trade and we could lose a lot of jobs here in the United States."