Trade Agreements and the WTO

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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.

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Books and Book Chapters

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).

Cato Studies

"Why Sustainability Standards for Biofuel Production Make Little Economic Sense," by Harry de Gorter and David R. Just, Policy Analysis no. 647, October 7, 2009

"A Harsh Climate for Trade: How Climate Change Proposals Threaten Global Commerce," by Sallie James, Trade Policy Analysis no. 41, September 9, 2009

"Audaciously Hopeful: How President Obama Can Help Restore the Pro-Trade Consensus," by Daniel J. Ikenson and Scott Lincicome, Trade Policy Analysis no. 39, April 28, 2009

"A U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement: Strengthening Democracy and Progress in Latin America," by Daniel Griswold and Juan Carlos Hidalgo, Free Trade Bulletin no. 32, February 6, 2008

"U.S. Response to Gambling Dispute Reveals Weak Hand," by Sallie James, Free Trade Bulletin no. 24, November 6, 2006

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Articles and Newsletters

"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.

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Opinion and Commentary

"A Defining Moment?," by Daniel J. Ikenson, Beijing Review, September 22, 2009

"Flouting Trade Rules Won't Open Markets," by Scott Lincicome, RealClearWorld.com, August 18, 2009

"Hike Trade With Korea, Check China," by Doug Bandow, Detroit News, May 6, 2009

"Panama's Encouraging Shot at Progress," by Juan Carlos Hidalgo, RealClearWorld.com, May 3, 2009

"Obama and Trade: An Alarm Sounds," by Jagdish Bhagwati, Financial Times, January 8, 2009

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Events

"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]

"Trade Promotion Authority, R.I.P.?," June 18, 2007 [Capitol Hill Briefing]

"Pan-African Free Trade Agreement: Helping Africa through Free Trade," October 20, 2006 [Policy Forum]

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Multimedia

"Trade, Trade, Please Go Away" featuring Daniel Griswold, November 4, 2009 [Flash Audio, 05:55]

Daniel J. Ikenson discusses the G-20 Summit on BNN's Market Morning September 21, 2009 [Flash Video, 08:32]

"Advice to Obama: Latin America" featuring Juan Carlos Hidalgo, December 1, 2008 [Flash Audio, 07:43]

"Some Good News on Trade" featuring Daniel J. Ikenson, October 16, 2008 [Flash Audio, 05:50]

Daniel Griswold debates NAFTA on Bloomberg April 21, 2008 [Flash Video, 03:59]

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