The President’s Inbox The Trade Challenge, With Edward Alden and Ana Swanson (Election 2024, Episode 3)
Oct 1, 2024
Edward Alden is a senior fellow at the CFR and a distinguished professor, while Ana Swanson is a trade journalist at the New York Times. They dive into the evolving landscape of U.S. trade policy, highlighting challenges stemming from competition with China. The duo dissects past deindustrialization narratives and the impacts of tariffs, especially during Trump’s presidency. They explore how shifting protectionist sentiments are reshaping society and influencing the upcoming election's trade discussions.
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Shifting Trade Debate
- The debate on US trade policy has shifted from emphasizing opportunities to focusing on risks.
- This change stems from concerns about job losses due to import competition, especially from China.
Deindustrialization Factors
- The decline in US manufacturing jobs is a complex issue with multiple factors, including technological advancements and domestic policy decisions.
- The "China shock" accelerated these job losses in the 2000s, significantly impacting public perception of trade.
NAFTA's Mixed Legacy
- NAFTA's impact has been mixed, with job creation alongside specific factory closures in the US.
- The focus on China has shifted some attention away from NAFTA, and nearshoring is viewed more positively.