I am glad to see that President Obama is having second thoughts over his protectionist “Buy American” clause to help revive his country’s flagging economy.
He is now quoted as saying: “I agree that we can’t send a protectionist message. I want to see what kind of language we 
can work on this issue. I think it would be a mistake, though, at a time when worldwide trade is declining, for us to start sending a message that somehow we’re just looking after ourselves and not concerned with world trade.â€
I know this will delight my MEP Robert Sturdy, an international trade spokesman, who yesterday issued this statement on the controversial issue:
President Obama promised so much in his inauguration speech when he pledged to help “the people of poor nationsâ€. But now it would appear that they were empty words and protectionism is high on his agenda.
Within days of moving the world with his powerful speech, he seems to have changed tactics following the inclusion of a controversial clause in his country’s economic recovery package to “Buy Americanâ€, ensuring that only US iron, steel and manufactured goods are used in construction work.
Yet the EU is the second largest producer of crude steel, producing 210 million tonnes in 2007 – 16% of world production – and the industry has an annual turnover standing at €140 billion. As the world is in the grip of a global recession, this is the perfect time for President Obama to call for the strengthening of international trade links, instead of sending strong messages of protectionism which will do nothing to help poorer countries, as well as the EU.
In my role as Co-Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary World Trade Organisation Committee, I have repeatedly warned against the adoption of protectionist policies both in the EU and the US as the economic crisis escalates. This action affects everyone in the UK where householders are struggling to pay bills; we should have an open policy on trade, not a closed policy.
I think the world is hoping for good things from the new President.
Greetings from Vienna Ellee
It’s not a particularly auspicious start for the President:
– the controversy about his former seat in Illinois
– nominees for Budget Enforcer and Health Secretary resigning over tax irregularities
– protectionism
– and now back-tracking (protectionism)
Perhaps it’s a good sign; that he doesn’t have tunnel vision; that he is open to persuasion. But then what the World was hoping for was a visionary who could see a clear and direct route out of this mess – it doesn’t appear to be so and his choice of candidates appears to be suspect too.
http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=836675
Off topic but you’d better warn your journalist friends that it appears that photographing the police will soon be arrestable with a possible ten-year prison sentence. (The source is unconfirmed but I’ve heard it from elsewhere too)
I’m telling you. The political class, both Tory, Nu Lab and especially EU are sinister.
What really gets me is that ridiculous policy Bush had to give everyone $500 or whatever it was… boy! how I wish the dullards in charge here had been dumb enough to do that for everyone in Britain!!!!!
Well needless to say the Canadians were immediately up in arms over this particular issue, given that the US is our largest trading partner. Luckily he has backtracked somewhat but back to the drawing board on this one, sir.
Kev I think it’s important to pass that info on. Worrying stuff indeed.
Trade will always mean openness.