Peterson Institute for International Economics Policy Briefs
December 2022
Abstract
Many Americans are persuaded that trade agreements of the last 40 years have been a costly mistake. To be sure, open markets leave some people behind, and promises to help those hurt were broken. But on balance, expanding trade has greatly benefited the US economy, and policy approaches taken need to be built on rather than abandoned. Alan Wm. Wolff, Gary Clyde Hufbauer, and Robert Z. Lawrence say more must be done to help those harmed, but protectionism is not the solution. The international trading system needs more outspoken US support and leadership if it is to be maintained and improved.
Citation
Wolff, Alan Wm., Robert Z. Lawrence, and Gary Clyde Hufbauer. "Have trade agreements been bad for America?" Peterson Institute for International Economics Policy Briefs, December 2022.