Alaska's 'Buy American' Provision for Port of Prince Rupert Project Rankles Canadians

The inclusion of "Buy American" provisions within a recent request for proposals issued by Alaska for the replacement of the Prince Rupert Ferry Terminal in British Columbia elicited some concerns from Canada's Minister of International Trade Ed Fast. The state's request for construction bids (here) notes that "all iron and steel products associated with this project are subject to the provisions of the Buy America Provisions." Fast voiced objections to the requirements in a Nov. 25 statement (here). “We are aware of and deeply concerned by the attempt by the U.S. to apply Buy American restrictions to a project at the Port of Prince Rupert, British Columbia," he said. "The extraterritorial application of these protectionist restrictions on trade within Canada by a foreign government is unreasonable. Taxpayers on both sides of the border would benefit from dismantling the trade barriers and inefficiencies created by U.S. protectionist policies such as Buy America." Fast will "explore all options to address this situation," he said. The port is owned by Prince Rupert Port Authority and used by Alaska Marine Highway System ferries.