To John Garamendi, the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge set to open in September is a symbol of failed U.S. trade policy: a $6.3 billion project that used 43,000 tons of Chinese steel and produced thousands of jobs overseas.
With 70,000 U.S. bridges needing repairs, the Democratic representative from California wants Congress to pass more “Buy America” requirements, insisting that public works projects use American-made materials to create more manufacturing jobs – even if foreign firms offer lower bids.
“The American workers have been totally screwed year in and year out by the free-trade negotiations and the compacts that have been reached – and it’s got to end,” he said.
Opponents say that’s a surefire way to increase costs for U.S. taxpayers.
“You’re going to simply be less efficient – you’re going to buy more expensive products than you would if you could buy foreign products,” said Dan O’Flaherty, vice president of the National Foreign Trade Council in Washington, a business lobby that promotes global trade.
or Rep. John Garamendi, the new San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to open in September is a symbol of failed trade policy: It used steel imported from China, producing jobs overseas.
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