What Prompted the Global Trade Slowdown?

Global trade has been disappointing following the 2007-2009 financial crisis. Beginning in the mid-1980s, the world economy entered a phase of rapid globalization, during which global trade consistently outpaced global GDP growth due to technological advances and policies that embraced economic integration. Trade collapsed during the financial crisis and the propensity to trade has stopped rising. This flattening has implications for the U.S. and the world, and policymakers need to understand the reasons for the slowdown and prospects for the future. The Scholl Chair in International Business at CSIS released a new electronic report on the global trade slowdown on Tuesday, September 15, 2015. CSIS held a rollout event with remarks from BHP Billiton CEO Andrew Mackenzie and discussed the report with USTR Policy Planning Director Ed Gresser. Opening Remarks: Andrew Mackenzie CEO, BHP Billiton Presentation: Scott Miller Senior Adviser and Scholl Chair in International Business, CSIS Discussion: Ed Gresser Policy Planning Director, Office of Trade Policy and Economics, Office of the United States Trade Representative Scott Miller Programs Scholl Chair in International Business Topics Trade and Economics