PPI's Trade and Global Markets Project aims to define progressive international economic policy for the 21^st century. Rejecting both the backlash against globalization on the left, and the nativism and unilateralism common on the right, the Project affirms that the values of America's postwar economic policy- internationalism, confidence, concern for the poorest, and understanding of the links between an open global economy and a stable peace -- remain valid today.

Based on these principles, the Project argues that trade expansion and strong international economic institutions help build prosperity, encourage technological advance and strengthen peace. The Project has brought these arguments, together with practical ideas for updating and reforming policies and institutions abroad to meet the needs of a new era. PPI has been a leading player in all of America's recent international economic policy debates -- from the North American Free Trade Agreement to the World Trade Organization, permanent Normal Trade Relations for China, African trade policy, financial crises, Trade Promotion Authority, reform of the American tariff system, and the economic dimensions of Middle East policy.

Principles:

• Open markets are an engine of growth, a prerequisite for expanding opportunity and higher living standards, and as Franklin Roosevelt wrote in 1945, the economic basis of a secure and peaceful world.
• America needs reformed and improved policies to bring the benefits of trade, investment, and technological change to a wider circle of Americans and to the world's least developed nations.
• The global economy needs strong, transparent and democratic institutions to provide stability in trade and finance, uphold rules, and resolve disputes.
• Technological change, growth in trade and financial flows, and geopolitical shifts such as the end of the Cold War and the Middle East crisis require bold, imaginative and continuous rethinking and reform of policy.

Goals:

• To work with progressive political leaders at home to strengthen American leadership in trade and the global economy.
• To strengthen ties with like-minded institutions and political leaders abroad.
• To deepen understanding of the global economy and the issues it raises through articles, policy papers and electronic information services.
• To develop policies that expand the winner's circle at home, through improved trade adjustment assistance, education and other domestic policy measures.
• To bring greater consensus to America's globalization debate.

Representative Publications

• Toughest on the Poor: Taxes, Tariffs and the Single Mom, Edward Gresser, PPI Policy Report, September 2002.
• Trade Fact of the Week: Worldwide Child Labor Rates Have Fallen by Half Since 1980, May 8, 2002.
• Draining the Swamp: A Middle East Trade Policy to Win the Peace, Edward Gresser, PPI Policy Report, January 2002.
• Trade Promotion Authority: The Key Questions, Edward Gresser, Background Memo, October 2001.
• U.S. Non-Proliferation Policy and PNTR for China, Jenny Bates and Steve Nider, PPI Briefing, July 2000.
• Let's Expand the Winner's Circle, Will Marshall, Blueprint Magazine, June 2000.
• Clean Trade, Jenny Bates and Debra Knopman, Blueprint Magazine, 1999.
• African Growth and Opportunity Act, Jenny Bates, Background Memo, June 1999.
• NAFTA: A Progressive Look at a Landmark Agreement after Three Years, Rebecca Reynolds Bannister, PPI Policy Report, July 1997.