Trade Policy

Policymakers must be constantly reminded of the benefits of free trade and the costs of protectionism. Free trade is the extension of free markets across political borders. Enlarging markets to integrate more buyers, sellers, investors, and workers enables more refined specialization and economies of scales, which produce more wealth and higher living standards. Protectionism does just the opposite. Congress and the administration should pursue policies that expand the freedom of Americans to participate in the international marketplace.

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2,067 results found

December 3, 2020
Blog

Some Perspective on China and “Rare Earth” Minerals
China’s near monopoly on rare earth materials comes not from inaction on the government’s part but rather from too much regulation. The solution, therefore, is not in subsidies or tariffs but in reducing domestic barriers to production.
By Scott Lincicome
December 1, 2020
Blog

What to Expect from China’s New Export Control Law
The new China’s Export Control Law could have a significant impact on bilateral trade and investment flows.
By Huan Zhu
December 1, 2020
Blog

U.S. Commercial Shipbuilding Output Is Abysmal. It’s About to Get Worse.
The production of costly Jones Act ships is set to further decline.
By Colin Grabow
November 30, 2020
Blog

The Trade Policy Views of Biden’s CEA Picks
It seems likely that Rouse, Boushey, and Bernstein would be less aggressive and protectionist on trade than Trump has been, although that is probably true of just about anyone in a Biden administration.
By Simon Lester and Alfredo Carrillo Obregon
November 10, 2020
Blog

Biden’s Trade Policy Options Constrained by Domestic Politics and Geopolitics
Biden’s trade policy is likely to be a component of a broader geopolitical strategy. Trade agreements, refraining from protectionism, and abiding by the rules of international trade are still in the cards, as long as they align with the objectives of national security and technological preeminence, and domestic politics permit.
By Daniel J. Ikenson
November 3, 2020
Blog

Tariff History Repeats, Again
It has long been known among economists and economic historians that protectionism very often fails to reinvigorate the protected domestic industry at issue. The U.S. steel industry has been no exception.
By Scott Lincicome
November 2, 2020
Blog

Maritime Protectionism Raises the Cost of Offshore Wind
To boost offshore wind energy legislators should remove protectionist maritime laws such as the Jones Act that hinder the industry’s growth.
By Colin Grabow
October 30, 2020
Blog

Why Bother Assessing the U.S.-China Phase One Trade Deal, Anyway?
Whether the Phase One trade deal has lived up to its objectives is, arguably, a question of empirical interest at most—unless Biden’s team is considering some form of continuation.
By Daniel J. Ikenson
October 30, 2020
Blog

Selling Nostalgia
Nostalgia may make for great advertising and good politics, today’s Kodak shows why it makes for bad policy - especially when it’s financed by tomorrow’s taxpayers.
By Scott Lincicome
October 30, 2020
Blog

Is the U.S.-China “Phase One” Trade Deal Working?
The phase one deal’s reliance on massive purchase commitments by China may be its biggest flaw.
By Simon Lester and Huan Zhu
October 28, 2020
Blog

WTO Director-General’s Race Shows the United States is Not Interested in Reform
As other WTO members have been working hard to address U.S. concerns, the United States does not seem interested in a solution. It already took out the WTO’s highest court. Now it aims to ensure that it will have no leader.
By Inu Manak
October 28, 2020
Blog

Checking in on “America First”
The president’s use of tariffs, subsidies and economic threats not only failed to reverse the seismic forces that for decades have affected corporate and consumer decision-making, and thus certain U.S. manufacturing companies and jobs, but may have actually made things worse.
By Scott Lincicome
October 23, 2020
Blog

Tariffs, Michigan, and the Perils of “Political Protectionism”
Recent findings showing weaker jobs and output in trade-reliant swing states should puncture the conventional wisdom that protectionism is a surefire political winner.
By Scott Lincicome
October 21, 2020
Blog

America’s Truck Shortage Reveals the Folly of Pandemic Protectionism
Barriers to trade don’t work any better in a downturn.
By Scott Lincicome
October 14, 2020
Blog

Calculating the True Cost of Trump’s “Trade Wars”
The costs of Trump’s trade wars include both tariffs themselves and subsidies which have been doled out in conjunction with the tariffs.
By Scott Lincicome

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Trade Policy

Some Perspective on China and “Rare Earth” Minerals

What to Expect from China’s New Export Control Law

U.S. Commercial Shipbuilding Output Is Abysmal. It’s About to Get Worse.

The Trade Policy Views of Biden’s CEA Picks

Biden’s Trade Policy Options Constrained by Domestic Politics and Geopolitics

Tariff History Repeats, Again

Maritime Protectionism Raises the Cost of Offshore Wind

Why Bother Assessing the U.S.-China Phase One Trade Deal, Anyway?

Selling Nostalgia

Is the U.S.-China “Phase One” Trade Deal Working?

WTO Director-General’s Race Shows the United States is Not Interested in Reform

Checking in on “America First”

Tariffs, Michigan, and the Perils of “Political Protectionism”

America’s Truck Shortage Reveals the Folly of Pandemic Protectionism

Calculating the True Cost of Trump’s “Trade Wars”