When President Obama touches down in Pittsburgh for the G-20 Summit he has a chance to lead on trade policies that will level the playing field for American workers and small businesses. Trade is critical to U.S. economic growth and vital to global economic development. Trade – especially exports – has been the one bright spot in our economy over recent years, accounting at one point for nearly 60 percent of our economic growth. Forty-two percent of American jobs depend on trade, and exports account for one in every eight …
Multilateral trade negations are the best way to bring the benefits of trade liberalization to the most people people, but with the current Doha Round of talks stalled, the U.S. has turned to bilateral agreements, that while not perfect, still are helping the American economy. Heritage scholar Daniella Markheim documents their most recent benefits: As of January 2008, the United States has 11 free trade agreements with 17 countries. Congress has approved FTAs with Israel; Canada and Mexico (NAFTA); Jordan; Singapore; Chile; Australia; Morocco; the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, El …
