Face the Issues, Make the Case

A large divide exists in the public discourse on global trade—on one end of the spectrum pro-trade/free trade, and at the other end, protectionism and isolationism. Even those straddling the middle ground have strong feelings on certain aspects of the trade argument.

Trade liberalization has created loose ends for the U.S. economy, in the form of lost jobs in certain sectors, falling wages due to increased competition with cheap labor, greater reliance on foreign goods and services and often a loss of expertise in critical areas. But free trade proponents argue that jobs have been (and will continue to be) created because of our ability to sell U.S. products and services overseas, and that trading relationships provide the basis for new areas of growth, and lay a foundation for global peace and stability.

So whose job is it to “make the case” for benefits of free and fair trade? More importantly, whose job is it to tackle the problems that it creates—government, private sector, or both?

“It’s time to … discuss the realities of the global economy with the American public, and prepare the U.S. workforce for the emerging global workplace,” stated Mike Eskew, Chairman and CEO of UPS, in a speech to business and public policy leaders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Leadership meeting in Washington, D.C. last fall. Eskew makes his argument from a unique position—as the head of a global company that transports 2% of the world’s GDP, and 7% of the U.S. GDP.

In this Knowledge@Emory Special Report, a variety of academic, public policy and business experts examine the issues that trade liberalization and the global economy have thrust upon U.S. businesses and workers.

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Trade liberalization and the offshoring of jobs have become inextricably linked in discussions on free trade, and U.S. companies that benefit from the global market place are often in the hot seat. Just what is the responsibility of Corporate America in retraining and educating employees displaced by offshoring? Public policy and business experts, along with faculty from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, discuss the issues surrounding U.S. worker education and training.

U.S. innovation has been an engine for economic growth and job creation for over a century, but emerging economies are providing stiff competition in the global market place. According to faculty at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School and industry experts, continued U.S. innovation will require that both the government and the private sector invest in initiatives and technologies that keep the U.S. on the cutting-edge of innovation.

Recent public opinion surveys are suggesting that many international consumers, particularly in Europe, are willing to avoid buying U.S. products as a way to register their displeasure with U.S. foreign policy. While anti-American sentiment is nothing new, industry observers and experts at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School say that U.S. companies need to employ specific strategies to successfully compete in the global market place.

As the President of UPS International, David Abney is well versed on globalization topics and the issue of offshoring. His recent presentation to an Executive MBA class at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, “The Off-Shoring Dilemma: Global Phobia or Trade Literacy”, methodically addressed what Abney called the “myths and misdirection” about globalization, and the negative press that “outsourcing” has garnered along the way.