ABSTRACT
In recent, the controversy over trade policy in the United States has shifted toward the less revolutionary, issues of protection versus free trade, the extent to which domestic policies should be constrained by international obligations, and the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches in the conduct of policy. This chapter discusses US trade policy and its relationship to the negotiations, and the possible implications of a General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) agreement for US agricultural policy. Since the colonies declared their independence, the struggle over trade policy has revolved around three issues: whether US markets should be open to international competition or domestic industries should be protected, the extent to which domestic trade policies should be constrained by international obligations and subject to international disciplines, and the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of government in implementing US trade policy discretion of the president, if imports caused serious injury to domestic producers.
