By Invitation | Upgrading trade

A Trump adviser on how the international economic system should change

Abandoning the international trading system altogether would be a major mistake, argues Scott Bessent

Illustration: Dan Williams

The United States must play a more active role in reshaping the international economic order. Completely abandoning the international trading system would be a disaster for the American people and our allies. However, the status quo creates security vulnerabilities, and the aggregate economic benefits for the United States are unclear. The next generation of America’s international economic policy must more closely link security and economic relations to deliver the benefits that truly free trade can bring. Adjustments are needed, but they must be carefully calibrated and deliberately paced.

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