Multilateralism and Trade Liberalization

Abstract

From the Chinese steel worker to cotton farmers in Burkina Faso, attitudes toward the United States often depend on its trade policies. Multilateralism will matter even more in the next administration, but so will the United States’ commitment to free trade. Continuing efforts to open U.S. markets and liberalize trade will be crucial to pursing a foreign policy more oriented towards multilateralism, and more committed to restoring U.S. credibility, goodwill, and soft-power throughout the world. Yet, the pressure to protect domestic industries will be a serious challenge to any trade-related foreign policy. American attitudes towards free trade are diverging with the rest of the world. In a 2007 Pew Global Attitudes Survey, Americans who had positive views on trade was at 59 percent, the lowest of any of the 47 countries surveyed. 1 As the world watches the 2008 elections, enthusiasm towards campaign promises of more multilateral foreign policy are matched with concern regarding protectionist rhetoric. Fareed Zakaria quoted an unnamed Latin American diplomat as saying “We might find ourselves nos