Canada signs 'Buy American' deal

WASHINGTON: The United States and Canada have reached a tentative deal on "Buy American" provisions following a disagreement that strained US ties with its northern neighbor and largest trade partner, a US trade official said.

The two countries were expected to formally announce the agreement on Friday. It must be cleared with stakeholders on both sides before it is signed.

Congress included a "Buy American" mandate in last year's $787 billion economic stimulus act that required public works projects use only US-made products such as steel. The measure was touted as a way to ensure that funds spent under the stimulus package created jobs in the US.