The sort of thing that sounds good on paper but could have some possibly nasty "unforeseen" negative consequences? - Alex Scoble from Bookmarklet

Yes. - Patrick Jordan

So, no Wal Mart, I guess. - Josh Haley

That appears to only be a restriction on iron and steel used in the construction of stimulus-funded projects. Still, it's a step towards protectionism. - Morton Fox

I like it. Maybe it'll help save some of the steel jobs that are left. - David Potts from twhirl

They are broadening it out beyond that, Morton. - Alex Scoble

They spelt "China" wrong! ;) - Tyson Key

and the last piece of the self destruct mechanism slips quietly, but firmly, into place. - David HC Soul

+1 David... sigh... - MVB (Grinch of FF)

I have one of these logos on my new treadmill! Thanks USA! :D - Mo Kargas

So everyone loves the free market when times are good, but now, protectionism is the go? Lame. Remember those Free Trade Agreements so US companies would get equal access to overseas markets? You can kiss those goodbye... Here's a hint, if it's cheaper to buy steel and ship it half way around the world, your steel industry is doing it wrong! - Warren

@Warren You're missing a big part of this. Companies set up factories in countries where they don't have to pay for safety and environmental measures required in the US. The point of the package is to create jobs and boost the economy. What good is that if the jobs are in China? - David Potts from BuddyFeed

Special exceptions may have to be made for Canada and Mexico regardless of the protectionist clause, thanks to NAFTA. And if America tries to worm its way out of its obligations, thanks to the current political climate here in Canada, we are sure to give you Yankees a lot of grief, whether or not our current government survives. - Chris, Taskerrific Guy

@David: Bluescope Steel, look them up. Not every import into the US comes from 3rd world countries - if we can sell you Australian steel for cheaper than you can buy it in the US then that's an inefficiency in your local manufacturers, not corner-cutting in ours. US-AU FTA still applies. - Warren

This isn't an economic argument, but local buying is key for various reasons; keeping local businesses (that you prefer), less $$ in upcharge shipping and distributing, and other green concerns. I think this will be a check on the "let's send a tanker full of paper napkins to China" abuses going on in world trade. - anna sauce