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Trade and Foreign Policy
Using trade as a weapon of foreign policy has harmed America's economic interests in the world without advancing national security. The proliferation of trade sanctions in the 1990s has been accompanied by their declining effectiveness. From Cuba to Iran to Burma, sanctions have failed to achieve the goal of changing the behavior or the nature of target regimes. Sanctions have managed only to deprive American companies of investment opportunities and market share and to punish domestic consumers, while hurting the poor and most vulnerable in the target countries.
The powerful connection between economic openness and political and civil freedom provides yet another argument for pursuing an expansion of global trade. In the Middle East, China, Cuba, Central America, and other regions, free trade can buttress U.S. foreign policy by tilling foreign soil for the spread of democracy and human rights.
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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).
"Relations with Cuba," Chapter 60, Cato Handbook for Congress: Policy Recommendations for the 108th Congress (2003).
Economic Casualties: How U.S. Foreign Policy Undermines Trade, Growth, and Liberty, edited by Solveig Singleton and Daniel T. Griswold (March, 1999).
China in the New Millenium: Market Reforms and Social Development, edited by James A. Dorn (November 1998).
Cato Studies
"Burning Rubber: Proposed Duties on Chinese Tires Whiff of Senseless Protectionism," by Daniel J. Ikenson, Free Trade Bulletin no. 39, September 11, 2009
"A Harsh Climate for Trade: How Climate Change Proposals Threaten Global Commerce," by Sallie James, Trade Policy Analysis no. 41, September 9, 2009
"Growing Pains: The Evolving U.S.-China Trade Relationship," by Daniel J. Ikenson, Free Trade Bulletin no. 28, May 7, 2007
"Who's Manipulating Whom? China's Currency and the U.S. Economy," by Daniel Griswold, Trade Briefing Paper no. 23, July 11, 2006
"Currency Controversy: Surplus of Politics, Deficit of Leadership," by Daniel J. Ikenson, Free Trade Bulletin no. 21, May 31, 2006
Articles and Newsletters
"Trade and Human Rights: The Case of China," by James A. Dorn, Cato Journal, vol. 16, no. 1, Spring/Summer 1996.
"U.S. Sanctions Against Burma: A Failure on All Fronts," by Leon T. Hadar, Cato Trade Policy Analysis no. 1, March 26, 1998.
Opinion and Commentary
"The War on Terrorism Ends; and the Winner Is... China," by Leon T. Hadar, Huffington Post, November 9, 2009
"Free Trade Is a Boon to the Environment," by Sallie James, RealClearMarkets.com, October 8, 2009
"A Defining Moment?," by Daniel J. Ikenson, Beijing Review, September 22, 2009
"The US Embargo of Cuba Is a Failure," by Daniel Griswold, Guardian (Online), June 15, 2009
"An Economic Retreat from East Asia," by Doug Bandow, American Spectator, April 27, 2009
Events
"A Harsh Climate for Trade: How Climate Change Proposals Threaten Global Commerce," September 10, 2009 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"America's High-Stakes Response to the WTO Internet Gambling Dispute," July 25, 2007 [Policy Forum]
"U.S.-China Trade, Exchange Rates, and the U.S. Economy," July 19, 2006 [Policy Forum]
"The Cuban Economic Embargo: Time for a New Approach?," February 15, 2000 [Policy Forum]
Speeches and Congressional Testimony
"America's Win-Win-Win Trade Relations With China," Daniel Griswold, Congressional Testimony, October 31, 2003.
Multimedia
"How Best to Get the Lead Out?" featuring Peter Van Doren, February 13, 2009 [Flash Audio, 11:58]
Juan Carlos Hidalgo discusses the relationship between Obama's administration and Latin America on DEXtv December 2, 2008 [Flash Video, 06:44]
Juan Carlos Hidalgo discusses US/Latin American Foreign Policy on Latin Pulse October 21, 2008 [Flash Video, 05:20]
"Trade, China and Deficits" featuring Daniel J. Ikenson, June 17, 2008 [Flash Audio, 08:50]
"The Economics of Exporting Democracy" featuring Christopher J. Coyne, November 27, 2007 [Flash Audio, 09:03]
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