The stimulus package has caused Nancy Pelosi a bit of headache during her trip to Rome. The legislation in question includes a "Buy American" provision, which has some international observers balking that we’ve become protectionist, a charge Pelosi denies.

"Somewhere in the mix of things, someone has decided that America has become, is becoming, more protectionist. I don’t think that is the case," Pelosi said at the Italian parliament, per Reuters.

The watered-down version of the "Buy American" provision in the stimulus bill would require public infrastructure projects to use U.S. steel and goods. That has made some U.S. trading partners pretty unhappy. Brazil says it may challenge the legality of the provision at the World Trade Organization. Meanwhile, China commerce ministry spokesman Yao Jian said Monday that Beijing was "deeply concerned" about protectionism, adding: "We think trade protectionist measures will escalate the already serious economic situation under the financial crisis."

But Pelosi stressed that while U.S. appreciates and needs global trade, the country also needs to protect its workers.

"We want them to be assured that we’re looking out for their interest as we look to grow the U.S. economy. I don’t think that’s protectionism. I think that’s what any country would do for its workers," she said. "President Obama is not a protectionist president."

Click here to read about wOw’s own Lesley Stahl’s CBS report on "Buy American," which delves into whether the provision could spark a trade war.