............ U.S & Global Trade Politics ........................... U.S & Global Trade Politics.............................. U.S & Global Trade Politics ...................... U.S & Global Trade Politics ................ ............ U.S & Global Trade Politics..............                                                                

                                                       SEMINAR ON U.S. & GLOBAL TRADE POLITICS  

                             Course Overview / Suggested Research Topics / Assignment Requirements.

                                                                          Stuart S. Malawer J.D., Ph.D.

"American voters certainly deserve a more serious discussion about trade." "Some Truth about Trade," New York Times (Lead Editorial -- April 6, 2008)

      This seminar examines a broad range of global trade issues from the perspective of U.S. politics and national interests.  In particular, the seminar assesses global trade in terms of domestic interest groups, corporate strategies, foreign policy implications, domestic and international legal rules, and U.S. competitiveness.  This assessment includes both foreign and global dimensions.  This course utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to understand the legal, political, business, economic and national security aspects of global trade.  Suggested research include, among others:

·         congressional and executive organization of trade policy;

·         bipartisan and partisan nature of U.S. trade politics;  

·         comparison between Obama and Bush administration trade policies;

·         bilateral trade agreements & domestic politics;

·         statutory and treaty basis of U.S. trade relations;

·         trade policies and national security concerns;

·         trade controls (export controls and trade sanctions) & U.S. competitiveness;

·         regulation of sovereign wealth funds and foreign direct investment;

·         foreign direct investment and local economic development;

·         differences between the Republican and Democratic positions on trade in the 2012 elections cycle;

·         re-regulation of public markets & protectionism in light of the 2008 financial crisis;

·         immigration policy and trade politics;

·         labor and environment in trade politics and trade relations;

·       accommodating newer trade & financial powers (India, China, Russia, UAE, Brazil).

·        rules governing foreign policy and trade policy making in the U.S.;

·         legacy of the Bush Administration in trade policy;

·       Republican and Democratic trade positions within context of globalization challenges;

·         history of U.S. trade policy 1934 – 2012 – any lessons;

·         “Safeguards” as a safeguard against harshness of globalization;

·         trade remedies and U.S. trade policy;

·         encouraging export promotion and direct investment for economic development;

·         extraterritoriality of economic legislation as a trade issue (e.g., Sarbanes-Oxley, Dodd-Frank);

·         trade enforcement as U.S. trade policy;

·        U.S. presidential politics and  U.S. trade relations with China;

·        energy and trade -- U.S. subsidies and exports; 

·        bilateral trade agreements -- promoting trade & financial liberalization;

·        fast track authority (Trade Promotion Authority) and U.S. trade negotiations;

·        U.S. global taxation of multinationals and other tax proposals for foreign operations; 

·        liberalization, financial capitalism and free trade / market policies. 

·        global transactions & multi-jurisdictional world. 

     Each student will make one PowerPoint presentation to the class and subsequently submit one essay (15 pages). Each class involves a basic introduction and a trade update by the instructor. This is then followed by a presentation and discussion of the PowerPoint presentation and if time permits of the essay later in the semester.  There is a final exam which is open book. This examination is based upon the various presentations and readings throughout the semester. All PowerPoint presentations will be uploaded to this website. The PowerPoint presentation, research essay, and final exam are of equal value in determining the final semester grade. 

      The PowerPoint presentation will focus on a trade issue relating to the competitiveness of U.S. firms and the U.S. The essay shall relate to a broader global trade issue involving the global trading system.

     The presentations shall start during the fourth class session.  Sessions 1-3  will be an overview of the global trading system, the particular issues confronting the United States, Obama and his trade policy, U.S. trade history and Constitutional dimensions of trade.  In general, this course presents an an assessment of the various positions of the political parties and interest groups in the United States.  This will include a focus on the political and policy debates during this 2012 presidential election season concerning globalization and the issue of U.S. corporate competitiveness and jobs in the global economy. 

     The format for each PowerPoint and subsequent essay is the following:

• Overview.
• Provide an overview of the trade topic under consideration.  Identify the major issues involved and the positions of the various “stakeholders.”
• U.S. national interest, policy and politics.  
• Identify what are the U.S. national interests, U.S.  policies involved and recent political pronouncements if any by the U.S. presidential candidates.
• One Issue.
• Select one particular problem. [This is the heart of your presentation.]
• Why is it a problem? What are the issues and parties involved?
• Policy Proposal.
• Develop and suggest a policy proposal concerning the issue you are discussing.
• Indicate the impact of your proposal on both U.S. trade policy and the trading system.  
• Indicate the pros and cons of your proposal and then fully support your proposal.

      At the time of the PowerPoint presentation a hard copy of the PowerPoint shall be distributed to the class with four slides per pages.  A copy of two-slides per page shall be given to the instructor. Links to at least four readings shall be sent to the class by Friday before the scheduled presentation. They will also be uploaded to a page on the website.  The  essay should not be more than 15 pages. (This is not distributed.)