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THE FAST TRACK TO FREER TRADE

BYDANIELT. GRISWOLD

No. 33

October 30, 1997

Executive Summary

The case for passing fast-track trade legislation is

simple: The most promising approach for advancing free

trade in today's global economy is through negotiated trade

agreements, and those agreements will be difficult if not

impossible to reach if the president of the United States

is denied fast-track authority.

Free trade allows Americans to live freer and more

prosperous lives. Trade with other nations benefits

consumers with lower prices and more choice, while

producers gain export markets, new technology and lower-

cost inputs. Export-related jobs in the United States pay

more and are growing four times faster than non-export

jobs.

To promote free trade, Congress should pass a

"clean" fast-track bill, one that specifically forbids the

inclusion of labor and environmental standards in future

trade agreements. Adding labor and environmental issues to

the agenda would only provide another pretext for

protectionism.