U.S. Trade Representative

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

A Populist Manifesto for American Workers

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) holds the power to shape America’s trade policies, yet for too long, this institution has been influenced by corporate elites and global interests that leave the common man footing the bill. From shuttered factories in the Midwest to undercut wages across industries, Americans have seen the devastating effects of unfair trade practices. To fulfill its mission, the USTR must adopt a populist approach, prioritizing the needs of American workers, small businesses, and communities over the demands of multinational corporations and international bureaucracies.

Reclaiming Trade Policy for the People

A populist USTR is one that works for the American people, not Washington insiders or corporate lobbyists. It must approach trade policy with a single focus: creating opportunities for U.S. workers and ensuring that trade agreements benefit the backbone of our nation—working families, small business owners, and communities that rely on fair markets to thrive.

1. Protecting American Jobs
   The USTR’s first priority must be protecting and expanding domestic jobs. For decades, predatory practices by nations like China have decimated American industries. Subsidized production, intellectual property theft, and currency manipulation have given foreign competitors an unfair advantage while gutting our manufacturing base. A populist USTR would aggressively combat these practices, leveraging tariffs, sanctions, and strategic trade policies to level the playing field.
2. Ending Crony Trade Deals
   The global elite have long benefited from trade agreements that prioritize corporate profits over national prosperity. Deals like NAFTA and the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) shipped jobs overseas while leaving American workers to pick up the pieces. A populist USTR would reject such deals in favor of agreements that prioritize domestic industries, enforce fair labor practices, and promote environmental responsibility without burdening U.S. businesses.

Restoring Accountability in Trade Policy

Trade policy has too often been dictated by faceless bureaucracies like the World Trade Organization (WTO), which cater to multinational interests while ignoring the needs of the average citizen. A populist USTR would redefine America’s engagement in global trade, emphasizing sovereignty and accountability.

1. Holding China Accountable
   China’s predatory trade practices represent the single greatest threat to fair global markets. Despite joining the WTO, China has repeatedly violated its commitments by exploiting loopholes, subsidizing state-owned enterprises, and engaging in economic espionage. The WTO’s failure to discipline China underscores its ineffectiveness. A strong USTR would bypass ineffective international bodies and take direct action to address these abuses, including imposing targeted tariffs, restricting access to U.S. markets for violators, and bolstering support for American industries.
2. Revitalizing American Sovereignty
   Trade agreements must reflect the will of the American people, not unelected international bodies. The USTR should assert America’s right to make trade decisions based on national interests. This includes renegotiating or withdrawing from agreements that compromise U.S. sovereignty and ensuring that trade disputes are resolved on terms favorable to American workers.

Empowering the USTR to Serve the President’s Agenda

To align trade policy with the priorities of the President and the American people, the USTR must be fully empowered with the resources, authority, and strategic focus needed to lead a unified trade agenda. This requires:

1. Eliminating Special Interest Influence
   The USTR’s mission must not be compromised by legacy advisory committees or lobbyists serving narrow interests. A populist USTR would dismantle these structures and replace them with committees that prioritize the voices of workers, small business owners, and industry leaders committed to fair trade practices.
2. Building a People-Focused Team
   The USTR should recruit and retain staff who are aligned with the President’s vision of a fair and worker-centered trade policy. Experts with experience in labor markets, domestic manufacturing, and small business advocacy should replace those focused solely on multinational corporate interests.
3. Streamlining Interagency Cooperation
   The USTR must coordinate closely with economic and national security officials, ensuring that trade policies support broader goals like job creation, economic growth, and national defense. This requires clear jurisdictional boundaries and an end to turf wars among federal agencies.

Populist Trade Priorities for a Prosperous Future

A populist trade agenda begins with recognizing that American workers and businesses are not merely participants in the global economy—they are its foundation. The USTR should focus on these key priorities to restore fairness and prosperity:

1. Rebuilding Domestic Manufacturing
   Trade policy must incentivize the return of manufacturing jobs to the U.S. by prioritizing agreements that support domestic production. Tax breaks, subsidies for key industries, and penalties for outsourcing can help revitalize the manufacturing base and restore economic stability to hard-hit regions.
2. Fair Trade Over Free Trade
   Free trade has too often been a race to the bottom, driving down wages and working conditions to maximize profits. A populist USTR would advocate for “fair trade” agreements that require trading partners to meet stringent labor, environmental, and human rights standards, ensuring that American businesses are not undercut by exploitative practices abroad.
3. Promoting Economic Resilience
   America must reduce its dependence on foreign supply chains, particularly for critical goods like semiconductors, medical supplies, and rare earth minerals. The USTR should work to incentivize domestic production and diversify supply chains to protect against future disruptions.
4. Supporting Small Businesses
   Trade policies must account for the unique challenges faced by small businesses, which often lack the resources to compete with larger corporations on a global scale. The USTR should prioritize reducing trade barriers for small exporters and providing resources to help them enter new markets.

Holding the USTR Accountable to the People

For the USTR to truly serve the nation, it must be transparent and accountable. This means:

1. Measuring Progress
   The USTR should establish clear metrics for evaluating the success of trade policies, including job creation, wage growth, and reductions in trade deficits. Regular reports should be published to inform the public of progress and ensure accountability.
2. Engaging with Citizens
   A populist USTR would seek input from workers, small business owners, and local communities when crafting trade policies. Town halls, public comment periods, and advisory panels made up of everyday Americans would ensure that trade decisions reflect the will of the people.
3. Rejecting Globalist Narratives
   The USTR must challenge the narrative that globalization is inevitable or universally beneficial. Instead, it should advocate for policies that prioritize national interests and respect the values of self-reliance, community, and economic justice.

A Call to Action

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has the potential to be a transformative force for good in America’s economy. By adopting a populist and worker-focused agenda, the USTR can reverse decades of harmful trade policies and restore economic prosperity to the people who have borne the brunt of globalization’s failures. This requires bold leadership, unwavering commitment to American workers, and a rejection of the status quo.

The USTR must no longer serve as a tool for corporate interests or global elites. It must become the voice of the American people in the global marketplace, fighting for fairness, sovereignty, and opportunity for all. By putting the needs of the common man at the heart of its mission, the USTR can help build an economy that works for everyone, not just the privileged few.

Ten Action Steps for the U.S. Trade Representative

1. Combat Unfair Trade Practices by China
   Aggressively address China’s predatory trade practices, including intellectual property theft, forced technology transfers, and state subsidies. Use targeted tariffs, sanctions, and enforcement measures to hold violators accountable and protect American industries.
2. Renegotiate Trade Agreements to Prioritize U.S. Workers
   Review existing trade agreements, such as NAFTA’s replacement and WTO commitments, to ensure they prioritize American jobs and industries. Renegotiate or exit agreements that fail to deliver tangible benefits to U.S. workers and communities.
3. Strengthen Domestic Manufacturing Through Trade Policy
   Use trade incentives to encourage the return of critical manufacturing sectors to the U.S., such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and rare earth minerals. Penalize companies that outsource production to exploit cheaper labor abroad.
4. Promote Fair Trade Over Free Trade
   Advocate for trade agreements that enforce stringent labor, environmental, and human rights standards among trading partners. Ensure that all agreements level the playing field for American businesses and workers.
5. Reduce Dependence on Foreign Supply Chains
   Work to diversify and secure supply chains for critical goods to reduce vulnerabilities from over-reliance on foreign suppliers. Partner with allies to create resilient trade networks that prioritize democratic nations over authoritarian regimes.
6. Eliminate Special Interest Influence on Trade Policy
   Dismantle legacy advisory committees and exclude corporate lobbyists from policy discussions. Replace them with representatives of small businesses, workers, and local communities to ensure trade policy serves the American public.
7. Enhance Enforcement of Trade Agreements
   Strengthen mechanisms for monitoring and enforcing compliance with trade agreements. Establish penalties for trading partners who violate agreements and provide legal and economic support for American companies affected by unfair practices.
8. Focus on Small Business Exporters
   Develop programs to help small and medium-sized businesses access foreign markets, navigate trade regulations, and compete internationally. Provide technical assistance, grants, and streamlined processes to encourage small business exports.
9. Ensure Transparency in Trade Negotiations
   Make trade negotiation processes more transparent by regularly publishing updates, engaging with the public, and allowing for input from American workers, small businesses, and community leaders.
10. Promote Trade Policies That Protect National Security
    Prioritize trade policies that safeguard national security by restricting access to sensitive technologies, critical resources, and infrastructure investments by adversarial nations. Work with allies to create trade alliances that strengthen economic and geopolitical security.

These steps empower the USTR to protect American workers, promote fair competition, and secure the nation’s economic interests in the global marketplace.