Clashing Over Commerce: A History Of Us Trade Policy

Product Description

Should the United States be open to commerce with other countries or should it protect domestic industries from foreign competition? This question has been the source of bitter political conflict throughout American history Such conflict was inevitable James Madison argued in The Federalist Papers because trade policy involves clashing economic interests The struggle between the winners & losers from trade has always been fierce because dollars & jobs are at stake depending on what policy is chosen some industries farmers & workers will prosper while others will suffer Douglas A Irwin's Clashing over Commerce is the most authoritative & comprehensive history of US trade policy to date offering a clear picture of the various economic & political forces that have shaped it From the start trade policy divided the nation first when Thomas Jefferson declare an embargo on all foreign trade & then when South Carolina threatened to secede from the Union over excessive taxes on imports The Civil War saw a shift toward protectionism which then came under constant political attack Then controversy over the Smoot-Hawley tariff during the Great Depression led to a policy shift toward freer trade involving trade agreements that eventually produced the World Trade Organization Irwin makes sense of this turbulent history by showing how different economic interests tend to be grouped geographically meaning that every proposed policy change found ready champions & opponents in Congress As the Trump administration considers making major changes to US trade policy Irwin's sweeping historical perspective helps illuminate the current debate Deeply researched & rich with insight & detail Clashing over Commerce provides valuable & enduring insights into US trade policy past & present