International Trade Policy, Economic Competitiveness, and the Effects of Globalization
Oct 19, 2017
Clyde Prestowitz,President,Economic Strategy Inst.
International Trade Policy, Economic Competitiveness, and the Effects of Globalization

Clyde Prestowitz is founder and President of the Economic Strategy Institute. His leadership has propelled ESI into an important role in the public policy process, influencing and often defining the terms of the debate in the areas of international trade policy, economic competitiveness, and the effects of globalization. Mr. Prestowitz has played key roles in achieving congressional passage of NAFTA and in shaping the final content of the Uruguay Round, as well as providing the intellectual basis for current U.S. trade policies toward Japan, China, and Korea.

The Economic Strategy Institute (ESI) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan public policy research organization dedicated to assuring that globalization works with market forces to achieve maximum benefits rather than distorting markets, and imposing costs. This should be achieved on the basis of principles, policies, and institutions consistent with democratic values. Because security and national welfare will increasingly depend on performance in the global marketplace, the Economic Strategy Institute is particularly concerned with developing national and corporate strategies to assure that globalization takes place on a level playing field and the reality is mutually beneficial.

The Institute is a firm believer in markets, but it knows that all markets operate within boundaries of different rules and institutions. ESI studies and understands the importance of macroeconomic factors such as interest rates, exchange rates, and savings rates. But, unlike many economic policy organizations, ESI places particular emphasis on institutional and structural factors and on the circumstances of the particular industries that make up the overall economy. It is, after all, impossible to have a smoothly running machine if the key components are faulty. Accordingly, ESI analyzes major industries and technologies as well as domestic and international economic industrial policies.

The growing importance of globalization and ESI's practical, business-like approach to the issues have made the institute a major player in government circles since its founding in 1989. ESI's staff shape opinion and strategy by publishing books, articles and editorials as well as by providing testimony to Congress and private consultation to government and business leaders. The institute also conducts a number of influential conferences and lectures throughout the year.

Over the past decade, ESI has had a major influence on the conclusion of the NAFTA and Uruguay Round negotiations, U.S. economic and trade policy towards Japan, China and Europe, and telecommunications, international aviation, and other important economic and trade issues. ESI has also helped shape strategy for a number of multinational corporations.

As we move into the next century, the world’s marketplace will become even more complex to corporations, governments, and consumers. The Economic Strategy Institute is well suited to tackle these complexities and provide expert analyses and leadership on the important elements of the globalized economy.

[Speaker scheduled by Bob Nelson]