CSPA on Buy American: “Fifty Percent Was Already Chilling”

“Discouraged” is how the Canadian Steel Producers Association described its reaction to President Trump’s executive order on sourcing of steel for federal projects in the United States. Increasing the use of American-sourced steel from 50 percent to 95 percent is “a step in the wrong direction,” said CSPA President Catherine Cobden in comments to ConstructConnect.

“It really is a step in the wrong direction between two countries that want to have fair and free trade,” said Cobden. “We are in the middle of seeking ratification of the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), as well. Canada and the U.S. share highly integrated steel markets, so it really makes no sense from our perspective to have this sort of requirement placed on us. It has had and will continue to have a negative effect on our industry.”