Various trade agreements have created export opportunities for U.S. companies, and raised profits, employment, and wages in industries that serve expanding global markets. Meanwhile, WTO membership exerts influence on the U.S. government to keep our own market open to the global economy. American families benefit from this openness through access to a wider range of affordable goods and services, raising the real value of our paychecks. The competition from abroad spurs domestic producers to keep prices down, develop new and better products, and adopt more efficient production. The ability to import raw materials, capital equipment, and intermediate inputs, such as competitively priced steel and semiconductors, lowers the cost of production for U.S. producers and keeps them competitive in global markets.
Get the latest on Trade Agreements and the WTO:
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Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization, by Daniel Griswold (2009).
"Trade," Chapter 59, Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 7th Edition (2009).
From Subsistence to Exchange and Other Essays, by Peter Bauer (2000).
"Trading with the Bear: Why Russia's Entry into the WTO Is in America's Interest," by Daniel Griswold and Douglas Petersen, Free Trade Bulletin no. 46, December 6, 2011
"As Promised, Free Trade Agreements Deliver More Trade: Manufacturing Exports Receive an Extra Boost," by Daniel Griswold, Free Trade Bulletin no. 45, June 7, 2011
"Economic Self-Flagellation: How U.S. Antidumping Policy Subverts the National Export Initiative," by Daniel J. Ikenson, Trade Policy Analysis no. 46, May 31, 2011
"Trade Agreement Would Promote U.S. Exports and Colombian Civil Society," by Juan Carlos Hidalgo and Daniel Griswold, Free Trade Bulletin no. 44, February 15, 2011
"Beyond Exports: A Better Case for Free Trade," by Daniel J. Ikenson and Scott Lincicome, Free Trade Bulletin no. 43, January 31, 2011
"The WTO: China's Future and Hong Kong's Opportunity," by Joseph C. K. Yam, Cato Journal, vol. 21, no. 1, Spring/Summer 2001.
"WTO Accession and Financial Reform in China," by Justin Yifu Lin, Cato Journal, vol. 21, no. 1, Spring/Summer 2001.
"Internal and External Reforms: Experiences and Lessons from China," by Yasheng Huang, Cato Journal, vol. 21, no. 1, Spring/Summer 2001.
"China's WTO Accession as a Catalyst for Capital Account Liberalization," by Fred Hu, Cato Journal, vol. 21, no. 1, Spring/Summer 2001.
"The New Trinity: The Political Consequences of WTO, PNTR, and the Internet in China," by Liu Junning, Cato Journal, vol. 21, no. 1, Spring/Summer 2001.
"Promoting U.S. Exports and the Rule of Law in Russia," by Daniel Griswold, Washington Times, December 7, 2011
"Unwise to Pin Much Hope on America in Global Free Trade," by Sallie James, Australian, November 17, 2011
"Yes to Free Trade, No to TAA 'Stimulus'," by Daniel Griswold, Washington Times, September 28, 2011
"Washington's Night of the Living Dead: The Law of the Sea Treaty Stirs," by Doug Bandow, Forbes, September 12, 2011
"A Tariff-Reduction Plan for U.S. Jobs," by Daniel J. Ikenson, The Wall Street Journal, September 10, 2011
"The Korea, Colombia, and Panama FTAs: Promoting Growth and Jobs through Trade," June 8, 2011 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Beyond Exports: A Better Case for Free Trade," March 24, 2011 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Trade-Offs: Why the Colombia FTA Should Pass Regardless of TAA," April 11, 2008 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
""I Don't Want Money. I Want Trade Agreements"," September 28, 2007 [Policy Address]
"America's High-Stakes Response to the WTO Internet Gambling Dispute," July 25, 2007 [Policy Forum]
Daniel Griswold discusses free-trade agreements on WOR's The John Gambling Show (October 26, 2011) [Media Highlights - Radio, 05:38]
The Korea, Colombia, and Panama FTAs: Promoting Growth and Jobs through Trade featuring Daniel Griswold and Brandon Arnold (June 8, 2011) [Events, 34:41]
Sallie James discusses free trade on WNRR's Powers to the People (May 2, 2011) [Media Highlights - Radio, 21:13]
Donald Boudreaux discussing why we needn't fear the trade deficit. (April 1, 2011) [Cato Video, 11:12]
Unions, Violence and Free Trade with Colombia featuring Juan Carlos Hidalgo (February 23, 2011) [Daily Podcast, 08:37]