A small question about trade and parties

If you believe that trade liberalization benefits both the U.S. and global economy, which party is the party for you? When I came of voting age, the answer was pretty obvious — the GOP. Now we live in a world where Obama’s chief economic advisor is making more sense on the trade issue than rank-and-file ...

By , a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast.

If you believe that trade liberalization benefits both the U.S. and global economy, which party is the party for you? When I came of voting age, the answer was pretty obvious -- the GOP. Now we live in a world where Obama's chief economic advisor is making more sense on the trade issue than rank-and-file Republicans. (both links courtesy of Greg Mankiw) Obviously, it is slightly unfair to compare advisors with voters -- and the WSJ article linked above points out that the GOP frontrunners are still talking the talk on trade. I'm beginning to wonder, however, whether either party will walk the walk. Question to free traders -- which party do you think is likelier to promote trade liberalization?

If you believe that trade liberalization benefits both the U.S. and global economy, which party is the party for you? When I came of voting age, the answer was pretty obvious — the GOP. Now we live in a world where Obama’s chief economic advisor is making more sense on the trade issue than rank-and-file Republicans. (both links courtesy of Greg Mankiw) Obviously, it is slightly unfair to compare advisors with voters — and the WSJ article linked above points out that the GOP frontrunners are still talking the talk on trade. I’m beginning to wonder, however, whether either party will walk the walk. Question to free traders — which party do you think is likelier to promote trade liberalization?

Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner

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