Exporting Skepticism

As I noted yesterday, President Obama announced over the weekend a new "Asia strategy" that will focus on "re-balancing" the U.S.-Asia trade relationship. According to Obama, increased U.S. exports--boosted by, among other things, expanded market access in Asia--will play a prominent roll in his plan. But just how serious is the administration about boosting exports through trade liberalization policies?

Based on a quick review of the facts, I'd say "not very."

First let's look at two of the key trade policies mentioned by Obama in his Japan speech, the Doha Round and the Trans-Pacific Partnership FTA.  On Doha, Obama claimed that an "integral part" of his strategy would be "working toward an ambitious and balanced Doha agreement."  But as I've noted repeatedly, U.S. trading partners have been complaining about U.S. non-involvement in the WTO's Doha Round since Obama took office in January. And the administration's abject refusal to own the 2008 U.S. commitments on farm subsidy cuts, while it openly demands that its trading partners improve market access, is a clear indication that the White House is not serious about concluding Doha anytime soon.