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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

"A Free Trade Agreement with South Korea Would Promote Both Prosperity and Security," by Doug Bandow, Trade Briefing Paper no. 31, October 20, 2010

"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

"Nothing to Fear but Fearmongers Themselves: A Look at the Sovereign Wealth Fund Debate," by Daniel J. Ikenson, Free Trade Bulletin no. 33, March 14, 2008

"Leading the Way: How U.S.Trade Policy Can Overcome Doha's Failings," by Daniel J. Ikenson, Trade Policy Analysis no. 33, June 20, 2006

[View more Cato Studies]

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

"China Looms Large in U.S. Presidential Campaign," by James A. Dorn, Beijing Review, October 31, 2011

"9/11 Tested America's Openness to Trade and Immigration," by Daniel Griswold, Daily Caller, September 8, 2011

"U.S. Needs to Seriously Pursue a Free Trade Agenda," by Doug Bandow, Forbes, February 28, 2011

"U.S.-China Trade a Collaborative Effort," by Daniel Griswold, Washington Times, January 26, 2011

"South Korea Free Trade Agreement Key to Prosperity and Security," by Doug Bandow, Daily Caller, October 19, 2010

[View more Opinion and Commentary]

Events

"The U.S. Generalized System of Preferences: Helping the Poor, But at What Price?," December 14, 2010 [Policy Forum]

"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

Media Highlights - TV Juan Carlos Hidalgo gives a speech on free trade and globalization at Lewis & Clark College (April 10, 2012) [Media Highlights - TV, 18:56]

Cato Video State of the Union 2012 (January 27, 2012) [Cato Video, 09:39]

Daily Podcast Intelligence and Foreign Policy featuring Paul R. Pillar (November 9, 2011) [Daily Podcast, 11:14]

Cato Video The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act legacy (June 17, 2011) [Cato Video, 02:52]

Media Highlights - TV Sallie James discusses Donald Trump on FBN's Cavuto (April 20, 2011) [Media Highlights - TV, 04:29]

[View more Multimedia]