Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The President of the United States issued a memorandum addressing concerns about new barriers Canada has established against U.S. companies seeking access to Canadian government procurement markets. The memorandum asserts that Canadian federal and provincial policies, such as the “Buy Canadian” preference, disproportionately restrict access for U.S. firms. In contrast, Canadian companies continue to have preferential access to the U.S. federal procurement system, including procurements under the World Trade Organization Agreement on Government Procurement valued at over $280 billion annually.
In response, the memorandum directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Trade Representative, in coordination with other officials, to identify Canadian-origin products within the federal procurement system. Where permitted by law, these Canadian items should be removed or made unavailable for purchase. The Director is also instructed to inform relevant executive agencies of available domestic alternatives to Canadian items, subject to legal limitations.
The memorandum further requires the Trade Representative to monitor the treatment of U.S.-origin items in Canadian government procurement markets at both federal and provincial levels and to keep the President informed of any relevant developments.