Politics

The era of trade liberalization is dead. Yet it could get worse still. Not only have prospects for liberalization over the next few years been dashed, but Congress is considering legislation that could precipitate a retreat from the trade policies and institutions that have served U.S. interests for 60 years...

If all significant trade barriers were unilaterally removed on foreign products, U.S. welfare — as defined by public and private consumption — would increase by approximately $3.7 billion annually. Additionally, U.S. gross domestic product would rise by $1.6 billion, according to a 2007 study by the United States International Trade Commission.

If a government policy creates many higher-paying jobs while putting fewer lower-paying ones at risk, would you favor it? Virtually everyone would say yes. So why are free trade agreements — mechanisms that generate far greater benefits than disadvantages — perceived so negatively?

“Trade liberalization has a critical role to play in economic growth by directly stimulating domestic firms to become more productive,” so says the U.S. Federal Reserve. As a result, the incomes of ordinary people typically rise.

In May 2003, a task force commissioned by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) began work on revising rules governing letters of credit, with a target date of July 1, 2007. The new regulations are expected to eliminate barriers that have increasingly hampered international trade. As commerce among nations grew in the early 20th Century...

On March 15, 2007, the United States and Vietnam signed a shipping agreement that grants U.S. maritime shippers, carriers and port operators greater access to Vietnam’s transportation market. And on March 16, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Susan Schwab and Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem announced the launch of negotiations on a bilateral Trade...

<p>U.S. trade policy is regularly the subject of contentious debate on Capitol Hill, and the 110th Congress promises an even more volatile debate. Although a new study of voting records and campaign platforms released by the National Foreign Trade Council and USA Engage asserts that the overall impact of the elections will result in a [&hellip;]</p>

Whether you are explaining your corporate response to globalization or defending it, your ability to effectively communicate your position is paramount. Why? Your ability to do so can help achieve greater understanding, acceptance and support. Your failure to do so, however, can result in bad press, policymakers running for cover, low employee morale and decreased...

Susan Schwab began work recently as U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) at a difficult time for free trade. Free traders have promised results for decades, and an honest assessment says they were right. Globalization is enhancing prosperity everywhere, and lowering trade barriers promotes broad prosperity for the poor and rich alike. But reality and perceptions are [&hellip;]

U.S. lawmakers have put off immigration reform for a decade because nobody could agree on how best to regulate the flow. They still can’t, as Washington’s recent scramble to craft a fix attests. But the stark disparity between job opportunities and living standards in America and many poor countries has resulted in such an influx...

It is no secret that world opinion of the United States and its policies is unfavorable. Yet, the Bush administration—with cajoling from Congress—is exacerbating those perceptions with an astonishingly antagonistic trade policy posture. The United States has become an international trade scofflaw...

<p>The debate on the potential costs and benefits of the proposed Dominican Republic–Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR–CAFTA) continue. Often contentious, it has played out between those who fear the effects of freer trade on their own narrow interests and those who embrace the economic and strategic benefits the agreement will bring. On June 30, [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Increasing economic opportunity and strengthening homeland security are the two major goals of the U.S. government. Advancing free trade is essential to reaching both of these goals. Hence, the Bush Administration and Congress should be praised for significantly advancing free trade with Australia, Morocco, Chile and Singapore. The U.S. now has an even more important [&hellip;]</p>

FAQ: What are the costs of protectionism? Talking Points: Although in some instances protectionism may help fledgling industries for limited periods of time, current and decades-old studies indicate that protectionism actually has severe negative consequences. Reducing the number of imports through the use of trade barriers only raises the costs of goods and services...

Since day one, as world traders and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) alike will admit, the 24-Hour Rule and container targeting have been far from perfect in design and implementation. In the weeks following 9/11, CBP didn’t have the luxury of time in formulating a grand design for cargo security. Instead, the agency [&hellip;]

<p>How’s the pace of your business? Most leaders would respond with the word &#8220;Accelerating.&#8221; &#8220;Too much to do&#8221; is a universal complaint. Leaders find ourselves constantly trying to squeeze out slices of incremental work. So much to be accomplished. Speed encourages leaders to move quickly along a midline path, to scramble to react to developing [&hellip;]</p>

<p>We’ve Merged. Are We Paying Attention to all the Right Components? All merged and acquiring companies want the best outcome from the acquisition in order to deliver the expected return on investment. These companies focus on the most advantageous combination of systems, technologies, processes, financials and organizations. Is this enough? No. An area often overlooked [&hellip;]</p>

<p>We’re inundated with nutritional information for healthy eating in order to maintain well-flowing arteries, high-functioning organs and a generally healthy body. Most is common sense, things our parents taught us. Eat fruits and vegetables. OK, we didn’t know it was the lycopene in the tomatoes that made them so healthy, but we did know tomatoes [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Are you getting all the information and feedback you need to lead your organization effectively? Unless you work in an extraordinary organization, the answer is an emphatic &#8220;No.&#8221; In most organizations, there are the &#8220;undiscussables: the items that everyone knows exist, yet do not feel free to talk about in a way that they could [&hellip;]</p>

Prior to the September 11th terrorist attacks, the World Bank projected U.S. and other OECD country growth to reach 1.1% in 2001 and to 2.2% in 2002. However, since September 11th, the 2002 projection has been modified downward by .75-1.25 percentage points — and this is assuming business resumes to normal by mid 2002. Projections...