Support for free trade and open markets in the United States and worldwide has declined in recent years. President Biden and his predecessors have increasingly pursued “Buy American” policies, embracing a level of support for industrial policies not seen in the U.S. since the mid-1980s. This protectionism has broad bipartisan backing in Congress. However, tariffs, quotas and other non-tariff barriers to trade are a marked departure from the open and market-oriented trading system of past years. Cumulatively, these barriers pose substantial risks for the U.S. economy and the prosperity of U.S. citizens and residents — and for people worldwide, especially those from developing countries.
At this event, Marc Levinson, renowned historian, economist and journalist and author of “The Box: How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger” and “Outside the Box: How Globalization Changed from Moving Stuff to Spreading Ideas,” provided keynote remarks. He also signed copies of both books, available for purchase courtesy of Brazos Bookstore, after the event.
Following Levinson's address, a panel of experts examined trends in international trade in three main areas: (1) the United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, (2) the U.S.-China commercial relationship and (3) the restructuring of the World Trade Organization. They explored changes to the international trade regime and provided policy recommendations to strengthen the trade system, increase support for it and fortify its regional and global governance.
This event was sponsored by the Baker Institute Center for the United States and Mexico. The event was also made possible thanks to a grant from the Charles Koch Foundation.
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Agenda
7:30 am |
Breakfast |
8:00 am |
Welcome and IntroductionsTony Payan, Ph.D. |
8:30 am |
Keynote Address: The Old Globalization and the New GlobalizationMarc Levinson, Ph.D. |
9:00 am |
Q&A with Marc LevinsonModerated by: David Gantz, J.D., Will Clayton Fellow in Trade and International Economics, Baker Institute; Samuel M. Fegtly Professor of Law Emeritus, University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law |
9:30 am |
Panel DiscussionModerated by: David Gantz, J.D., Baker Institute Daniel Chow, J.D. James Gerber, Ph.D. Simon Lester, J.D. |
10:30 am |
Q&A with the Panelists |
11:00 am |
Adjourn |