From tariff wars to torn-up trade agreements, Michael Beeman, a former senior U.S. trade official, will explore how in recent years America has dramatically diminished its support for freer, rules-based trade, and instead has chosen to go its own new way. Focusing on America’s trade engagements in the Asia-Pacific, he contrasts the trade policy choices made by America’s leaders over several generations with those of today — decisions that are now undermining the trading system that America created, and that are triggering new tensions between America and its trading partners, its allies and its adversaries alike.

How are the U.S.’s political divisions affecting its trade policy? Is trade really a zero-sum game, as modern policy would suggest? The answers to these questions have enormous implications for the future of regional and global trade, and this timely discussion — tying in with the release of Beeman’s new book — will unravel the implications of how America has seismically shifted its approach towards the future of the rules-based trading order.

This public lecture series is organized by the Center for Commerce and Diplomacy at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy (GPS). For more information on center activities, please visit ccd.ucsd.edu.

If you have any questions, please contact GPS Program and Event Manager Maggie Heimann.