Ontario threatens its own protectionism in fight against Texas Buy American bill
TORONTO — Ontario has hired lobbyists in Texas and is threatening protectionist measures of its own as it tries to convince state officials not to pass a Buy American bill.
Premier Kathleen Wynne claimed victory last month after a successful Ontario push to stop similar provisions in New York state.
Now Wynne says she is concerned a bill to extend Buy American provisions to virtually all state agencies in Texas is going to a final review and could get approval as soon as this weekend.
“Protectionist actions like those in this bill have the potential to severely hinder our trade partnership and put jobs, workers and businesses both here and in the U.S. at risk,” she said in a statement.