U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer will offer bill blocking China from bidding on U.S. government contracts

[Bozita]

Source: Jackson Citizen Patriot

U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer will offer bill blocking China from bidding on U.S. government contracts
By Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot
April 12, 2010, 1:54PM


U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek said today he plans to introduce legislation in the coming weeks that aims to block China from bidding on U.S. government contracts.

While China does not allow American companies to bid on its government contracts, the U.S. allows China to do so and Schauer said that doesn't make sense to him. His bill would correct that imbalance, he said.

"It's just simple reciprocity," Schauer said.

Schauer said he is tired of seeing American jobs go to China.

Read more: http://www.mlive.com/news/jackson/index.ssf/2010/04/us_rep_mark_schauer_will_offer.html

[RedCloud]

1. And I am tired of NOT seeing China's prices coming to America.

If the shit costs about 50 times less, let's pay 50 times less.

[pampango]

2. China doesn't belong to the Government Procurement Agreement anyway.

"Currently, forty WTO Members are covered by the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement. These comprise: Canada; the European Communities, including its 27 member States; Iceland; Israel; Japan; (South) Korea; Norway; Singapore; Switzerland and the United States" and several other smaller countries, e.g. Lichtenstein.

Parties to the agreement do not discriminate against each other's bids on national (federal) procurement projects. Bids from countries that do not belong to the agreement have no such protection and can be ignored or tossed out or ignored, if desired.

http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_E/gproc_e/overview_e.htm#gpa

[SocialistLez]

3. It won't pass but I appreciate the sentiment nt

[JDPriestly]

4. Don't be so certain. I think that a lot of members of Congress

are upset about the trade and currency abuses of China.

[cap]

5. it shouldn't be directed at China

it should be no foreign bids period ... the way it used to be.

[Heywood J]

8. But let the US intimidate other countries into being allowed to bid?

It goes both ways, you realize. Look at all the places the US has "rebuilt".

[cap]

9. yes... but we supplied the money

they were funded by US dollars given as aid or World Bank money (US dollars funneled through alternative agencies)

[aquart]

6. Oh no. We were letting them do that? Ye freaking gods.

[The Doctor.]

7. Wondering just *HOW* Republicans are going to oppose this.

[architect359]

10. Sure. Why not?

Just as long as the USA is also forbidden to bid on any contracts that is in any way connected to the government of China as well. So, sure - why not.