Washington Council on International Trade
A Word from the President
International Trade has long been a controversial subject. But much of our current national discussion and rhetoric on trade is downright harmful to Washington State’s economic interests. Some are even calling for a “trade pause” and renegotiating longstanding treaties with our largest export markets.
Yet it is our exports that are the bright spot in our economy. Boeing planes are in great demand, agricultural exporters are selling at record levels and good prices, manufacturing exports are higher than anticipated; and overall foreign sales of U.S. products are sustaining our economy thru this time of lackluster domestic sales.
Despite the economic data, Congress is finding it increasingly difficult to pass trade agreements that allow U.S. companies, farmers and ranchers to compete in overseas markets. U.S. free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and Korea are now stalled. At a time when consumers are struggling to make ends meet, many in Congress are advocating for tariffs on products entering the US market from China, which would have the effect of increasing the prices that American consumers pay for these goods.
At a time when we should be talking about the positive benefits we are receiving from trade, talk is of how the United States can become more isolationist. This doesn’t make sense.
Very important to WCIT’s efforts is ensuring that pro-trade constituents do not remain the silent majority. It is important that the Washington State delegation in D.C. knows they have strong support back home to champion good trade policy that is in the best interest of our state and our nation.
We also need to find a better way to talk about the benefits of trade – and recognize the harm of blaming trade for a whole host of problems because it is easy to do. The U.S. economy has undergone a shift from being largely manufacturing based to being service oriented. Workers who stay with the same company for their entire career are now the exception rather than the norm.
Change can cause uncertainly. We need to do a better job of understanding and addressing those concerns. But history has proven, time and time again, that isolationist policies or periods of inward-focused economic policy have been extremely harmful to the country that employs them. America needs to continue to lead the world’s economic growth, not consider sitting on the sidelines.
This is going to be a difficult period for the trade agenda. But Washington State is well positioned to provide national leadership on building a trade agenda that is good for our state and good for our country. I look forward to working with all of you in this noble effort.