Washington, September 17, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
US President Donald Trump has directed federal officials to identify Canadian-origin goods that could be excluded from US civilian government procurement, citing what his administration describes as discriminatory restrictions faced by American companies in Canada’s public procurement market.
The memorandum targets Canadian goods purchased through the US federal civilian procurement system and instructs officials to pursue their removal where justified and permitted under existing law.
The White House linked the move to Canada’s “Buy Canadian” policies and procurement restrictions imposed by Canadian provinces. According to the memorandum, Canadian suppliers have preferential access to the portion of US federal procurement covered by the World Trade Organisation’s Agreement on Government Procurement, a market valued at more than $280 billion annually.
The figure refers to the procurement market covered by US commitments at the federal level and does not mean Canadian companies receive contracts worth that amount.
“My Administration will always act to combat such unreasonable or discriminatory practices,” Trump said in the memorandum.
The White House alleged that preferences for Canadian products and domestic Canadian content have created additional barriers for US suppliers. It also accused Canadian provinces of restricting access for American companies. The memorandum and accompanying fact sheet did not include a response from Canada to the allegations.
The order assigns the director of the Office of Management and Budget and the US Trade Representative responsibility for identifying possible restrictions. They will coordinate with members of the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council and consult other senior officials as required.
The US Trade Representative has also been directed to monitor Canada’s federal and provincial procurement systems and notify Trump of circumstances that could justify further action or restoration of access to Canadian products.
The memorandum states that if Canada changes the policies cited in the order and restores treatment of US-origin goods, the United States could consider restoring the affected Canadian products’ eligibility for federal procurement.
Federal agency heads have been instructed to take appropriate steps within their existing legal authority to implement the directive.
The White House described the measure as part of Trump’s broader trade agenda, arguing that US companies no longer receive equal treatment in Canadian government procurement despite Canada’s commitments to the United States.
The accompanying fact sheet also said Washington had not agreed to renew the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in its current form, arguing that the existing agreement does not provide sufficient benefits to US manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, workers and service providers.
The latest procurement directive follows measures announced on September 8. According to the White House fact sheet, Trump imposed bans and raised tariffs on certain products under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, citing Canada’s treatment of US alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motor vehicles.
The latest action places the dispute within the WTO government procurement framework and reflects continuing differences between Washington and Ottawa over market access and trade terms.
FOLLOW NOW
