|
A Blueprint for U.S. Leadership in the 21st Century
The United States faces a daunting set of international economic
challenges that demand a reorienting of policies that have
guided U.S. trade and investment policy over the past six
decades. We face the rise of powerful trading nations, some
of which were minor competitors a decade ago. We face a rapidly
evolving business climate driven by technological innovation,
a surge in world energy prices and other factors. We face
an economic landscape that requires U.S. businesses to compete
and win around the world. Meanwhile, world trade talks have
not kept pace with these developments and are now stalled
after progressing slowly for much of this decade. The bipartisan
consensus in the United States to pursue further trade liberalization
is weak. And the compact between the Congress and the president
for executive branch negotiation of trade agreements is set
to expire in 2007.
These challenges require fresh thinking and a practical re-examination
of U.S. trade and investment policy so that the U.S. economy
continues to lead the world and U.S. workers and businesses
con- tinue to enjoy expandedopportunities for success — as
well as to shore up U.S. geopolitical leadership.
To meet these challenges, Business Roundtable proposes the
following policy blueprint. “
|
