Strickland defends Ohio's outsourcing ban

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland stuck firmly to his ban on foreign outsourcing saying states have a right to choose what to do with their own resources.

In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, Strickland said, "They have every right to try to wrestle even more American jobs away from us," referring to other countries, including Indian officials who complained about the outsourcing ban, which was signed Aug. 6 and prevents state funds from being used for overseas jobs.

"But I'll tell you this, we have every right to say no," the letter said, The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch reported Wednesday.

"Let me say this as well: No one in India or anywhere else is going to tell the citizens of Ohio where we can create jobs or where we can spend our resources," the letter said.

In India, the ban has provoked sharp criticism. An Indian trade expert said the ban was "a blatant case of protectionism."

The reaction was milder at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Assistant trade representative Carol Guthrie said, "We have no reason to believe Ohio's decision will have any significant impact on our robust trading relationship with India."