No. 12/09
February 2, 2009

AMBASSADOR BRUTON URGES CONGRESS TO REFRAIN FROM BUY AMERICAN PROTECTIONIST MEASURES

In a letter sent to the US Congress and Administration today, Ambassador John Bruton, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission to the United States, expresses the EU's concerns over the "Buy American" provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which passed the US House of Representatives. 

In his letter, Ambassador Bruton warns that resorting to measures that may effectively close the markets from foreign operators cannot be considered the right or effective response to the economic situation. 

"Open markets remain the essential pre-condition for a rapid recovery from the economic crisis, and history has shown us where measures taken contrary to this principle lead us," writes Ambassador Bruton. "The European Commission is particularly concerned about the message such measures would send to the world, at a time when most countries are faced with the same situation of looking for best means to tackle the crisis. The United States and the European Union should take the lead in keeping the commitments not to introduce protectionist measures taken by the G20 in November 2008. Failing this risks entering into a spiral of protectionist measures around the globe that can only hurt our economies further."

Ambassador Bruton notes that the European Commission hopes that the final stimulus legislation will provide the US with the means to tackle the crisis at hand effectively, while refraining from protectionist measures and holding on to the principle of open markets.

Further Contact Information:
Press and Public Diplomacy
Delegation of the European Commission
2300 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Tel: 202-862-9552