The European Union complains that Buy American provisions in the stimulus bill are protectionist:
John Bruton, the European Commission’s ambassador to Washington, complained in letters Monday about “buy American” provisions in the proposed legislation. They would require major public works projects to favor U.S. steel, iron and manufactured goods over imports. The European Commission provides the executive leadership to the European Union.
The letters, sent to senior lawmakers and officials including Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, note that the United States and other countries pledged not to resort to protectionism at a meeting of world leaders in November.
Sometimes it’s just not easy being the United States of America.
Remember back in November how we were talking that protectionism and high taxes were Hooveresque. Of course, Obama’s not going to raise taxes, as one of his supporters told me the other day. I think he actually believes it.
