International Trade
Key Points
- Final ratification of the US-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA)
- Final negotiation of a high standard Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership agreement.
- Ensuring that future agreements contain strong intellectual property provisions and omit protectionist measures such as trade agreement carve outs.
International trade creates and supports millions of American jobs that offer higher than average wages and drive economic growth. As a testament to the strength of American entrepreneurship, the vast majority of U.S. exporters are not large corporations but small to medium-sized enterprises. Those that doubt the power of global free markets need only observe America’s trading partners who are accelerating the negotiation of trade frameworks underscoring that if the United States does not proactively participate in the global marketplace we risk being left behind.
The states are the clear economic winners and stakeholders in international commerce. From Alaska’s marine products to Iowa’s grains and oilseeds to Florida’s aerospace products and parts, the states are in the business of exports! And while the link between exports and growth is obvious, American families also benefit from imports that make the products they buy every day more affordable as well as from job-creating foreign direct investment (FDI). Many of the overseas companies employing American workers provide unparalleled training opportunities for the manufacturing jobs of the future.
One of the surest ways to expand U.S. market access is through the negotiation of free trade agreements (FTAs) as FTA partners buy more American goods per capita than non-FTA partners. Tariffs and other impediments to seamless commerce act as discriminatory taxes which limit and restrict companies that export to other nations. A carefully drafted FTA whether bilateral or multilateral eliminates tariffs and other non-tariff barriers to trade among FTA partners resulting in a mutually beneficial economic relationship.
Free markets are a job creation engine that spurs economic growth, but there is also a strategic aspect to U.S. trade policy. Trade frameworks often serve as non-military strategic footprints in significant regions around the globe. One of the great examples of American exceptionalism was our creation in the years following World War II of the structures that still govern international trade. To this day, these institutions help to promote free markets and protect innovation and nations around the world welcome U.S. economic partnership. Unilaterally forfeiting America’s role in the global trade sphere would exact unacceptable economic and strategic costs. There is no guarantee that the nation or nations that fill the leadership vacuum we leave will promote free markets as strongly as the United States.
Model Policies
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Resolution Opposing the Imposition or Expansion of Digital Trade Barriers Final
WHEREAS, digital trade plays a crucial role in the U.S. economy, fostering innovation, and spurring economic growth; and WHEREAS, the imposition of trade barriers in the digital realm could stifle technological advancements, hinder cross-border data flows, and limit the potential for international collaboration; and WHEREAS, a free and open digital…
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Resolution on the Importance of Pursuing Comprehensive Trade Agreements with Trusted Trading Partners Final
WHEREAS, Americans are deeply concerned with job creation, economic stability, and expanding economic prosperity throughout the United States; and WHEREAS, international trade is a critical engine of growth for the U.S. economy; and WHEREAS, the U.S exported more than $3 trillion in goods and services accounting for 11.2 percent of…
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Resolution Supporting Taiwan’s Meaningful Participation in International Organizations Including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and Interpol Final
WHEREAS, Taiwan, with a population of 23.57 million has: a dynamic and growing economy that produces many of the items necessary for 21st century life, a strong innovation culture, the infrastructure to support cutting edge innovation in a variety of sectors and a longstanding reputation as a trusted global presence;…
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Resolution Calling on the Current Presidential Administration to Oppose Efforts at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to Expand the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Waiver Which Would Undermine Global Intellectual Property Rights Final
WHEREAS, in June 2022 the World Trade Organization (WTO) announced a waiver of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement rules protecting the IP underpinning COVID-19 vaccines; and WHEREAS, this decision appears to have been politically motivated as many of the same countries demanding the TRIPS vaccine waiver…
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An Act to Prohibit State Contracts with Chinese Government-Owned or Affiliated Technology Manufacturers Final
(1) Definitions (a) As used in this Code section, the term: (1) ‘Company’ means any sole proprietorship, organization, association, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited liability company, or other entity or business association, including all wholly owned subsidiaries, majority owned subsidiaries, parent…
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Resolution on the Importance of Pursuing Trade Agreements that Contain Robust Intellectual Property Rights Protections Final
WHEREAS, Americans are deeply concerned with job creation, economic stability, and expanding economic prosperity throughout the United States; and WHEREAS, international trade is a critical engine of growth for the U.S. economy; and WHEREAS, the United States exported more than $2.5 trillion in goods and services accounting for 11.2 percent…
Press Releases
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ALEC Welcomes Confirmation of Katherine Tai as USTR Ambassador
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alexis Jarrett Email: ajarrett@alec.org ALEC Welcomes Confirmation of Katherine Tai as USTR Ambassador ARLINGTON, VA – (MARCH 31, 2021) The American…
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2020 ALEC International Pioneer Award Goes to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alexis Jarrett Email: ajarrett@alec.org 2020 ALEC International Pioneer Award Goes to Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen ARLINGTON, VA – (DECEMBER 3, 2020)…
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A State Legislator Win: The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Will Activate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alexis Jarrett Email: ajarrett@alec.org A State Legislator Win: The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Will Activate 18 states introduced…
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ALEC Adopts Model Policy in Support of the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Alyssa Hackbarth ahackbarth@alec.org 856-649-8102 ARLINGTON, VA (October 12, 2017) – In light of the ongoing negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), ALEC…
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The ITC Rules against American Workers and Consumers Again
In response to a petition Whirlpool filed in May under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) determined that the manufacturer of large…