Trade in the Americas: TPP Challenges and the Future of Free Trade

The Trans-Pacific Partnership has faced significant setbacks. In mid-June, Democrats in the House of Representatives voted against what would have been the most significant trade deal since NAFTA. If passed, TTP would create a free trade zone spanning twelve nations along the Pacific Rim. Yet vocal TPP detractors have expressed reservations over the deal’s impact on domestic workers. Meanwhile, a proposed mega-trade deal involving more than 30 countries in the Americas has been stalled for more than a decade.

Global trade is currently growing at a slower rate than global GDP and public opinion appears to be turning away from free trade. If countries are increasingly looking inward, the shift will have a profound effect on political and economic conditions around the world. On June 25th, Hudson Institute hosted former White House Chief of Staff Mack McLarty for a discussion on the current state of global trade. Mr. McLarty, who served under President Bill Clinton, is a trade expert who played an integral role in the passage of NAFTA and served as the president’s Special Envoy to the Americas. He was joined by expert panelists Armando González and Evan Ellis. Hudson Institute Senior Fellow Jaime Daremblum moderated the discussion.

__Hudson Institute is grateful to the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation for their generous support of this conference series.__