THE GREAT TRADE DEBATE

摘要

Call it the Rubber-Chicken War-the looming trade dispute between the United States (which has announced punitive tariffs on imports of Chinese tires) and China (which is threatening retaliation against American poultry exports). Against the background of the G20 trade talks in Pittsburgh, that contretemps made this an auspicious time to examine the age-old question of protectionism. Last week, beginning the fourth season of public debates sponsored by Intelligence Squared US, six panelists discussed the proposition that "Buy American/Hire American policies will backfire." Those arguing for the motion were Columbia professor Jagdish Bhagwati, former U.S. trade representative Susan Schwab, and Dartmouth economist Douglas Irwin.