(Jun. 25, 2009 Global Legal Monitor) China's key economic planner, the National Development and Reform Committee, issued a notice on May 26, 2009, on tightening government supervision of tenders and bids in connection with government-invested projects (FGFG [2009] No. 1362). The notice was jointly issued with eight other central government departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, and the State Council Legislative Affairs Office.

The BBC has this developing story:

"The EU has increased its pressure on the US to reconsider the "Buy American" clause in the $800bn (£567bn) economic recovery package now before Congress.

The clause seeks to ensure that only US iron, steel and manufactured goods are used in projects funded by the bill. A European Commission spokesman said it was the "worst possible signal" the Obama administration could send out.

The EU will launch a complaint with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) if the clause remains, the spokesman said. The EU and Canadian ambassadors to Washington have already warned that the clause could promote protectionism and trigger retaliatory moves. continue reading at source

 The Guardian has an update:

"Barack Obama is expected to water down "Buy American" plans in his economic stimulus package after European diplomats privately threatened to launch a trade war in retaliation." coninue reading at source

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