In his speech, President Obama said: "To respond to an economic crisis that is global in scope, we are working with the nations of the G-20 to restore confidence in our financial system, avoid the possibility of escalating protectionism, and spur demand for American goods in markets across the globe."

During his run for the presidency, Obama's campaign distributed stickers saying, "Buy American — Vote for Barack Obama." He criticized John McCain for opposing legislation that mandated "Buy American" policies. An early version of the stimulus bill included a provision requiring that U.S. steel and iron be used for all federal and state transportation projects. Obama, however, signaled his opposition to any provisions that "signal protectionism." The final version of the bill, which Obama signed into law, supported "Buy American" principles but specified that they be "applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations under international agreements." That compromise language was still insufficient to satisfy China, which said the "Buy American" provision in the stimulus package was "poison to the solution" of the global economic crisis.