Attorney Bruce Thelen Quoted in Crain’s Detroit Business Article on International Trade
Dickinson Wright Attorney Bruce Thelen, head of the firm’s international practice, was recently quoted in the article “Leveling the field or picking a fight?” published by Crain’s Detroit Business.
The article discusses the impact of legislation passed by the Michigan Senate that will give companies in Michigan an economic edge over out-of-state businesses when it comes to bidding on government contracts. The advantage would come in the form of an 8 percent premium tacked onto bids from companies outside the state for products mined in Michigan when the state weighs bid prices in awarding the contract. The measure is intended to protect a salt mining company operating in Detroit, whose executives say they aren't able to keep pace with Canadian mines on price.
If the bill becomes law it runs the risk of being challenged if a company outside the U.S. perceives the 8 percent premium as a “non-tariff barrier to trade,” said Mr. Thelen. He added that a company could seek remedies through the World Trade Organization or other trade agreements.
To read the full article, please click here.
The article discusses the impact of legislation passed by the Michigan Senate that will give companies in Michigan an economic edge over out-of-state businesses when it comes to bidding on government contracts. The advantage would come in the form of an 8 percent premium tacked onto bids from companies outside the state for products mined in Michigan when the state weighs bid prices in awarding the contract. The measure is intended to protect a salt mining company operating in Detroit, whose executives say they aren't able to keep pace with Canadian mines on price.
If the bill becomes law it runs the risk of being challenged if a company outside the U.S. perceives the 8 percent premium as a “non-tariff barrier to trade,” said Mr. Thelen. He added that a company could seek remedies through the World Trade Organization or other trade agreements.
To read the full article, please click here.
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