U.S. States & Foreign Affairs
State governments and local business often lead the way in promoting trade with established and expanding markets. Governors and state delegations have sought to develop increasingly close trade relationships with countries around the world, from London to Beijing to Havana.
At the same time, State legislators increasingly have taken the lead on measures that would cut off engagement and undercut efforts to attract international investment that supports jobs and raises living standards. Foreign policy actions by individual states, while well-intentioned, undermine the ability of the United States to speak with one voice, which is critical to American international leadership. State sanctions also frustrate cooperation with U.S. trading partners, who often see them as a violation of U.S. international commitments, and are extremely unlikely to affect the behavior they seek to change. Global peace and prosperity would be better served by sustained diplomatic efforts and increased aid and humanitarian efforts.
Press Releases
- NFTC, USA*Engage Applaud Senator Webb's Burma Visit Tuesday, 18 August 2009
- NFTC Releases Analysis of 2008 Congressional Election Results and Their Impact on U.S. Trade Policy Monday, 17 November 2008
- NFTC and USA*Engage Release 110th Congressional Report Card Friday, 24 October 2008
- NFTC and USA*Engage Applaud U.S. District Court Ruling Preempting Florida Law Friday, 05 September 2008
- USA*Engage Co-Chair Urges Nashville To Reject State Foray into Foreign Policy Thursday, 20 March 2008
- USA*Engage and NFTC Express Concern Over Approval of Sanctions and Divestment Bills in the House Tuesday, 31 July 2007
- New Study Reports Use of U.S. Unilateral Sanctions on the Rise Friday, 27 October 2006
- USA*Engage to NJ: Shelve divestment bill Tuesday, 12 April 2005
In the News
- Drawing a Fine Line on Trade Monday, 08 December 2008
- Trade Policy: U.S. Exporters Hopeful New Congress Will Support Free Trade, Reject Protectionism Tuesday, 18 November 2008
- Global Cos Fear Tax Hike on Foreign Profits - Trade Group Friday, 14 November 2008
- U.S. Business ‘Encouraged’ by Support for Free Trade from Senators McCain, Obama Monday, 27 October 2008
- House Approves Bill to Tighten U.S. Economic Sanctions Against Iran Tuesday, 30 September 2008
- Ecuador: More Misery Monday, 29 September 2008
- Trade Assistance Gets Boost Monday, 28 July 2008
- Bypassing the Beltway Monday, 19 November 2007
Publications
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Testimony by Dr. Jim Walsh for the Massachusetts Joint Committee on State
Should Public Plans Engage in Social Investing
Divestment is the Wrong Answer
State Divestment Legislation, Enacted Legislation and Pending Legislation
Editorial: Push to Divest Pension Funds of Links
Politicizing U.S. Capital Markets is Bad Public Policy
Testimony Before the Texas House of Representatives
State and Local Sanctions: Constitutional Issues
Presentation: The Legal Challenge to the Illinois Sudan Act
SWIB and Sudan: Why Divestment is Not the Answer
Briefing: Challenge to ‘Illinois Sudan Act’
Joint Letter on Investments with Ties to Sanctioned Nations
Social Investing: Pension Plans Should Just Say ‘No’
Do Economic Sanctions Work? Lessons from ILSA and Other U.S. Sanctions Regimes
Burma: Time for Change
The States’ Role (if any) in Foreign Affairs
States’ Rights and Foreign Policy: Some Things Should be Left to Washington
Testimony Before the U.S. House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security
State and Local Sanctions Fail Constitutional Test
State and Local Trade Sanctions: A Threat to U.S. Interests
Economic Sanctions: America’s Folly
Actuarial Impact on Pension Funds due to Divestment of Certain Investments that are Associated with Terrorism or Social Atrocities |
