A month out from the election

A month out from the election

By Mike Froman President, Council on Foreign Relations

In last week’s vice-presidential debate, Tim Walz and JD Vance disagreed on many issues, from abortion to gun control. But the two candidates largely agreed on something that both the Democratic and Republican parties once opposed: protectionism. Walz proudly declared himself “not a guy who wanted to ship things overseas.” Vance, for his part, praised President Joe Biden for having “continued some of the Trump tariffs.” Over the past decade or so, the politics of international economic policy have been turned upside down. The neoliberal approach that both parties used to espouse has fallen out of favor. In a new Foreign Affairs essay, I argue that while restrictions on trade and investment and industrial policy might well have their place, too little attention has been paid to the tradeoffs they involve. The next president needs to grapple with their costs, as well as their benefits, rather than act as if they are free. As I write:

The Biden administration has embraced a range of economic tools: export controls, restrictions on inward and outbound foreign investment, tariffs, industrial policy, and antitrust enforcement. Many of these tools enjoy broad bipartisan support. If they are to form the basis of a new, enduring Washington consensus, however, the next president—whether Trump or Kamala Harris—will need to develop a more systematic approach to using them. That means understanding their limitations, developing principles to guide their use, and grappling fully with the tradeoffs they involve.

Read the whole essay on ForeignAffairs.com.


OTHER ANALYSIS FROM THIS WEEK

Where the U.S. 2024 Election Stands

By James M. Lindsay

With Election Day just a month away, James M. Lindsay gives a rundown of the latest polling results and foreign policy statements of the candidates as the race remains neck and neck. Read more on The Water’s Edge?

Why the U.S. Presidential Election Matters for Ukraine

By Paul Stares Molly Carlough

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump offer sharply different approaches on U.S. policy toward Ukraine’s war with Russia, reflecting broader disagreement toward the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and U.S. alliances. Read the expert opinion

CFR In-Person Public Event

CFR-Georgia Institute of Technology Election 2024 U.S. Foreign Policy Forum

Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. (EDT) Register

Gaza Humanitarian Aid: Failure and Success a Year On

By Shira Efron

It is tempting to focus on technical aspects of the crisis in one sector, such as food or sanitation, but the fact is that the entire humanitarian aid supply chain is plagued by much broader structural, procedural, and political challenges. Read the analysis on Think Global Health

October 7 Tested Israel and the United States

By Ed Husain

The United States, Israel, and its Arab allies are stronger today than they were on October 7, 2023. Ed Husain argues that Iran seeks to weaken all three next. Read more on Newsweek

U.S. Microchip Factories Could Reshape the Economy

By Diana Roy

The CHIPS and Science Act seeks to revitalize the U.S. semiconductor industry amid growing fears of a China-Taiwan conflict. Where is the money going, and how is the effort playing out??Get the quick take?

NATO’s Indo-Pacific Aspirations

By David Sacks

As China, North Korea, and Russia move into closer alignment, members of NATO are concluding that European and Indo-Pacific security are not divisible. Read the more on Asia Unbound

Thailand’s Chance to Send the Right Signal

By Amb. David Scheffer

The world is sleepwalking through Thailand’s growing denial of fundamental human rights, like freedom of expression. The country’s rights violations are aimed at shielding its centuries-old monarchy from domestic criticism. Read the analysis

What Is the Real U.S. Policy on Venezuela?

By Elliott Abrams

Despite the Joe Biden administration’s tough words about democracy in Venezuela, oil exports from that country to the United States are growing and Chevron’s license was just renewed again. Read more on Pressure Points

Kenyan Politics Fail to Meet the Moment

By Michelle Gavin

The impeachment of Kenya’s deputy president is a sideshow distracting from the urgent issues before the country, like corruption. Get the quick take on Africa in Transition

Taking Stock on International Day of the Girl?

By?No?l James and Linda Robinson

Up to one billion children are victims of sexual, physical, or emotional violence every year, with girls experiencing disproportionate levels of violence. The First Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children will focus on ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all other forms of violence and torture against children by 2030. Read more on Women Around the World


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

CFR-Brookings Election 2024 Event: The Future of the Middle East

Experts examined the escalating conflicts in the Middle East and the policy options and priorities for an incoming U.S. administration in the region. Watch the discussion

Russian Aggression Beyond Ukraine

Panelists discussed Russia’s broader strategy beyond Ukraine, including efforts to expand the conflict through cyberattacks and arson across Europe, as well as possible election interference in the United States. Watch the discussion

The World Economic Update

Experts highlighted the quarter’s most important and emerging economic trends. The discussion covered changes in the global marketplace with special emphasis on current economic events and their implications for U.S. policy. Watch the discussion

Dennis Zimmer, P.E.

Owner - Principal Electrical Engineer at AcDc Engineering

1 个月

The Electoral College

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