Robert D. Atkinson

1 month ago | itif.org | Robert D. Atkinson |Stephen Ezell

KEY TAKEAWAYSThe vision and hope for globalization has not worked out as expected, with the spread of “behind the border” trade restrictions, recalcitrance among many leading nations, and the rise of an aggressively mercantilist China. With the hollowing of U.S. manufacturing, the political economy of trade has shifted from utopian optimism to dystopian despair. Domestically, the unfortunate response has been a turn toward autarky and protectionism—“America first,” and America alone.

1 month ago | flipboard.com | Robert D. Atkinson |Stephen Ezell

NowCNN — President Donald Trump is escalating his multi-front assault on what supporters see as an elite establishment, using raw presidential power to bend the government, law, media, public health, foreign policy, education and even the arts to his will. Trump left no doubt in last year’s campaign …

1 month ago | itif.org | Stephen Ezell |Trelysa Long |Robert D. Atkinson

KEY TAKEAWAYSThe White House has given the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, along with the departments of Treasury and Commerce, until April 1 to identify countries the administration should confront with corrective trade actions. It would be a mistake for the Trump administration to impose across-the-board tariffs on all nations, even if some run trade surpluses with America.

Jan 15, 2025 | itif.org | Robert D. Atkinson |Meghan Ostertag

In his first term, President Trump called out and took action against systematic Chinese innovation mercantilism, as ITIF had long argued America must.

Jan 11, 2025 | almendron.com | Robert D. Atkinson

Credit goes to Donald Trump for alerting the world to the dangers posed by China, particularly its efforts to overtake the United States as the world’s most advanced economy.