Buy America, which has existed in law since 1982, is World Trade Organisation-consistent and simply requires that federal procurement for roads, bridges and transit projects use US-produced iron and steel if it is readily available and within a competitive price range.
In a plan designed to stimulate the US economy with US taxpayer dollars, it is common sense and sound public policy that, consistent with our international obligations, projects receiving federal dollars provide a first-preference for high quality, cost-effective domestic materials made by American workers.
The Financial Times also misinforms readers by stating that America's steel industry has “been in decline for years”. In fact, 2008 marked the sixth straight year of positive performance and growth within our industry until we, like steel and other manufacturers worldwide, were hit in the fourth quarter by a severe and rapid global downturn.