“Buy America,” or Not

Alright world, relax: The Senate has softened the “Buy America” provision in the stimulus requiring public-works projects to use only U.S. iron, steel, and manufactured goods. An amendment requiring the Buy America provisions to be "applied in a manner consistent with U.S. obligations under international agreements" was passed, but an amendment from John McCain that would specifically bar any Buy America provisions from the package was rejected. According to Reuters, “The change gives Canada, Mexico, the European Union and certain other major trading partners some comfort they would be exempted [from the provision].”