Abstract: There is great concern in the U.S. about Chinese currency policy costing American jobs. But over two decades, there has been no evidence that a weak yuan causes high American unemployment. What American policymakers should focus on is other Chinese actions that do… Read more
The Obama Administration—after allowing U.S. free trade agreements (FTAs) with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama to languish unapproved for nearly four years—lately appears eager to push Congress to ratify all three soon. The problem now is that some in Congress are trying to make their approval contingent upon an extension… Read more
Abstract: China’s leap from poverty due to the marvelously successful market reforms introduced in 1978 has obscured serious weaknesses in its economy—especially compared to the American economy. These weaknesses have been exacerbated by renewed Chinese state intervention that began around 2003. Many seem convinced… Read more
Testimony before the Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade United States House of Representatives … Read more
Abstract: Americans buy a huge quantity of goods— ranging from audio-video equipment to clothing—made, or at least assembled, in China. The vast amounts involved raise the possibility of U.S. dependence on China. Heritage Foundation Asia economist Derek Scissors looked at the numbers and found… Read more
On August 31, the White House announced its plan to reform both the policy and process for controlling the export of militarily sensitive commodities and technologies.[1] It is clear that the United States’s export control system is in need of reform. The current system is needlessly complicated and… Read more
Abstract: President Obama has pledged to double U.S. exports over the next five years—an ambitious goal. But the President’s strategy of creating Export Promotion Cabinets and subsidizing loans is not the way to make that happen. The federal budget deficit—$1.4 trillion—is the largest obstacle… Read more
Abstract: Activist groups and statist bureaucrats at the United Nations and around the world are seeking to impose corporate social responsibility (CSR) requirements on firms through the International Organization for Standardization's proposed ISO 26000 standards, scheduled to… Read more
Politicians are falling in love with "the China excuse" -- one so poor it could be mouthed only by an American president or members of Congress. China is said to be both chiefly at fault for our huge trade deficit and indispensable to financing our huge budget… Read more
Little drama is expected during President Barack Obama's visit to South Korea. Such relative calm is, in itself, quite significant, particularly in light of the expansive and violent anti-U.S. beef demonstrations that transfixed Seoul last year as well as the strained bilateral relations during the Roh Moo-hyun administration (2003-08). The… Read more
Taxes serve no necessity other than to finance government activities. Regrettably, policymakers often make the mistake of viewing taxes as only funds available for allocation among competing programs. In doing so, they ignore the dramatic effects of incentives created by taxes and the important influences of… Read more
Delivered June 7, 2007 The Heritage Foundation has been an important partner in helping to raise awareness about the need for Visa Waiver Program reform. I appreciate the continuous support Heritage has provided as we have worked to advance my legislation, the Secure Travel and Counterterrorism Partnership Act of 2007. I know we… Read more
Revised and updated October 22, 2008 The 2009 rankings of trade freedom in countries around the world, developed by The Heritage Foundation as part of its annual Index of Economic Freedom and released to the public today,… Read more
Thanks to the relentless work of Christopher Horner at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, U.S. Department of Treasury...… Read more