Trade Strategies for a New Era: Ensuring U.S. Leadership in a Global Economy

Geza Feketekuty

Council on Foreign Relations

September 1997

Preface

Geza Feketekuty

Two years ago, when I retired after 21 years of service with the Office of the United States Trade Representative, I decided to commission a comprehensive forward look at U.S. trade policy. My last several years at USTR convinced me of the need for such a volume. With the conclusion of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade talks, the United States entered a new era of trade policymaking. In the face of widespread skepticism about the merits of the globalization of the American economy, the United States needs new policies to maintain its leadership on international trade issues, to ensure that its business continues to have the opportunity to compete in world markets, and to secure for its people a broad distribution of the benefits of global economic growth. The introduction of fast–track legislation by the Clinton administration has presented the country a new opportunity to debate and to achieve a comprehensive trade strategy for the 21st century. It is my hope that this volume will help guide the vital national discussion ahead.

This volume would not have been possible without the contributions of numerous individuals. First and foremost, the authors of the various chapters need to be recognized. It was truly rewarding to bring together such a knowledgeable group. Indeed, as part of the book project, we held an authors' conference at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in October 1996. The discussions at that conference were particularly rich and thought provoking. Their high caliber reflected the participants' level of expertise. This group has done an enormous amount of thinking about the various aspects of U.S. trade policy that will need to be addressed in the coming decade. It is my honor to be able to present this thinking in a cohesive package.

One of the authors deserves special mention. In addition to writing a chapter, Bruce Stokes contributed significantly to the actual publication of the book. Bruce spent long hours reading and improving on authors' drafts. He also arranged several Council on Foreign Relations sponsored events that highlighted the book's findings and recommendations.

I also want to extend my thanks to Congressmen Jim Kolbe and Robert Matsui for contributing a chapter. Much of the public trade policy debate will take place on Capitol Hill. Accordingly, their insights are particularly valuable to a volume such as this one. My sincere thanks to the congressmen as well as to Cynthia Johnson of Congressman Matsui's staff and Everett Eissenstat of Congressman Kolbe's staff.

The three sponsors of the book project need to be recognized. First, the Council on Foreign Relations deserves thanks for publishing the book. Through the Council's sponsorship, the book will reach a wide audience. The Council's publications department deserves special recognition for combining speed with quality. David Kellogg, Vice President of Communications and Corporate Affairs, used his extensive experience to guide the process, and Patricia Dorff and Sarah Thomas organized it all. Gary Hufbauer, the Council's director of Studies, gave the project his wholehearted support, ensuring the book's timely publication. Eric Drabiuk, a Council research associate, spent long hours helping to coordinate matters from the Council's end. A special thanks to the Ford Foundation for its financial support of the Council's participation in the project.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is the second project sponsor. I want to recognize with special thanks CSIS Senior Advisor Peter Watson, who helped organize activities associated with the book in Washington, D.C. I also thank Sinclair Dunlop for his assistance in organizing these events.

Finally, the Monterey Institute of International Studies needs to be recognized and thanked for housing the project. The Institute bore the major costs associated with putting this book together. The president of the Institute, Dr. Robert Gard, consistently supported the project, and several members of my staff here at the Center for Trade and Commercial Diplomacy made important contributions. Bill Keller was crucial to getting the project off the ground and also contributed many hours of editing. Sarah Givens not only made significant editing contributions but also spent long hours working on the myriad details associated with the editing of the book and keeping all the authors happy. Sue Karman and Jill Rainbow provided necessary administrative and secretarial support.