March 4, 2010 9:05AM 

# A Clash of Worldviews on Free Trade 

By [Daniel Griswold](https://www.cato.org/people/daniel-griswold) 

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If you want to witness the clash of two worldviews on trade, check out [the online debate I’m having](http://worldtradelaw.typepad.com/ielpblog/2010/02/the-great-trade-debate-daniel-griswold-main-street-america-benefits-from-global-engagement.html) with Ian Fletcher of the U.S. Business and Industry Council. A self-described protectionist, Fletcher has written a new book with the unambiguous title, [*Free Trade Doesn’t Work: What Should Replace it and Why*](http://www.usbic.net/ianfletcher/). In the opposite corner, I argue for eliminating barriers to trade, drawing on my own recent book, [*Mad about Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization*](http://www.amazon.com/dp/193530819X/?tag=catoinstitute-20).

The debate is being hosted by the International Economic Law and Policy Blog. We’ve already filed two 600-word posts each, with a third to come at the end of this week and concluding arguments early next week.

##### Related Tags 

[Trade Policy](https://www.cato.org/trade-policy), [Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies](https://www.cato.org/herbert-stiefel-center-trade-policy-studies) 

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