Advance a Global Pro-Trade Agenda

Full Document Available in PDF

Increasing liberalization of world trade is one engine behind the dramatic increase in global prosperity since the 1950s, yet the country is faced with a negative view of trade and globalization. During the recent election campaign, few came forward to defend free trade, which provides benefits for rich and poor in both developed and developing countries. The efforts of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to lower international trade barriers have particularly benefited poor countries seeking prosperity. The current impasse in advancing the WTO’s Doha Round mainly hinges on rich countries’ reluctance to reduce their extensive agricultural support programs, which distort the world market and harm developing countries’ ability to compete.