A thought experiment considers a hypothesis for the purpose of thinking through its consequences. So to better understand “free trade” as we currently practice it, let’s postulate evacuating one of our states and populating it with millions of imported workers. With apologies to the Show Me state, let’s go to the heartland and pick Missouri…
To win the presidency, Donald Trump must overcome skepticism among many voters about his positions on free trade, immigration and many other issues. On trade, that is hardly an insurmountable task. [Peter Morici| July 13, 2016 | Town Hall] Lowering tariffs and other barriers to international commerce better permits businesses and workers to specialize at…
If the host of vampires attempting to suck the lifeblood out of American manufacturing and industry is any indication, U.S. trading policy has become a real live horror show. [Paul Nehlen| July 13, 2016 |JS Online] The nightmare has been deepening for decades with every massive, multinational, crony trade deal we’ve embraced. Now, the looming…
Donald Trump’s top three picks for a running mate – former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie – may be nodding along with the New York businessman’s defensive stance on trade now, but past records show they have a soft spot for free trade. There is a…
The United States on July 13 announced a new WTO case against China over its continued use of export duties on nine raw materials that are driving up the cost of production in the United States, saying the duties violate provisions of China’s accession protocol. [Daily News| July 13, 2016 | Inside US Trade] In…
New polling for Public Citizen provides powerful new insights about the public’s views on the trade issue generally, the Trans-Pacific Partnership specifically, and one of TPP’s central components – Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). This unique survey of likely voters identifies key targets in the trade debate among Democrats, independents and Republicans and demonstrates how…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 13, 2016 Contact: Paola Masman, Media Director 202-688-5145 ext 2, [email protected] Government report: Goods and services trade balance worsens by 10 percent in May despite trade agreements Washington~ The Commerce Department announced that the US trade gap increased yet again 10.1% to $41.1 billion in May. China alone makes up over half of the May deficit…
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) has issued the following news release today: Expenditures by foreign direct investors to acquire, establish, or expand U.S. businesses totaled $420.7 billion in 2015, an increase of 68 percent from 2014, when expenditures were $250.6 billion. In 2015, as in 2014, the majority of the expenditures were to…
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday cast deep doubt on winning approval for President Obama’s trade agenda during his last weeks in office, suggesting that it will be up to the next occupant of the Oval Office to determine the direction of trade policy. [Paul Kane| July 12, 2016 | Washington Post] Acknowledging…
BEIJING — An international tribunal in The Hague delivered a sweeping rebuke on Tuesday of China’s behavior in the South China Sea, including the construction of artificial islands, and found that its expansive claim to sovereignty over the waters had no legal basis. [Ane Perlez| July 12, 2016 | The New York Times] The tribunal also said that…