Thursday, February 5, 2009
11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Grainger Hall Executive Dining Room
975 University Avenue
Registration Required
Speaker: Paul Blustein, journalist in residence in the Global Economy and Development Program at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., and former staff writer for the Washington Post
About the event:
The global trading system erected after World War II is facing some of its most severe threats ever. The specter of protectionism looms large as the world heads into recession and pressure mounts on politicians to save jobs. Another serious blow to the structure underpinning global commerce came when the Doha Round of global trade talks collapsed in 2008.
Previous U.S. administrations have pursued a policy of negotiating bilateral free trade accords with a multitude of countries including Chile, Morocco, Singapore, South Korea, as well as a regional deal with Central America. But some trade experts contend that this strategy has weakened the trading system by undermining the WTO. Furthermore, the bilateral accords failed in their goal of serving as “building blocks” in a global pact.
How should the Obama administration approach these issues? What is the outlook for resuscitating the Doha Round? What does the threat to global trade mean for U.S. business?
Sponsors:
Center for World Affairs and the Global Economy (WAGE) , UW-Madison Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) , and the Madison International Trade Association (MITA)Cost: $30 for MITA members, $35 for non-MITA members (lunch included)
11:30 –12:00 –Registration and networking
12:00 –12:30 –Buffet lunch
12:30 –Program begins
2:00 – Adjourn
Registration: Seating is limited. To reserve your spot, please RSVP to Julie Lane at uwmadisonciber@bus.wisc.edu by 5 p.m. on Friday, January 30.