Back from the brink on trade

At least that’s the message Obama seems to be sending to Democrats in Congress. In an interview with ABC News he was asked about the “Buy American” provisions in the “stimulus” bill and said he doesn’t want any “provisions that are going to be a violation of World Trade Organization agreements or in other ways signal protectionism. I think that would be a mistake right now. That is a potential source of trade wars that we can’t afford at a time when trade is sinking all across the globe.”

Common sense, of course, but modestly encouraging nonetheless.

UPDATE: Not so fast! Ambinder reports that the White House will “clarify” the President’s remarks today. How depressing.