WASHINGTON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday defended a "Buy America" steel provision included in an $825 million economic stimulus bill that has caused concern among U.S. trading partners.
"I don't view that as some of the pure free traders view it, as a harbinger of protectionism. I don't buy that at all. So I think it's legitimate to have some portions of buy American in it," Biden told CNBC. (Reporting by Doug Palmer; editing by Mohammad Zargham)