国会夺权记！美国贸易政策，如何从总统主导变成行政立法拔河

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the subtle shift in U.S. trade policy from promoting free trade to implementing protectionist measures during the 1950s, driven by domestic economic interests and international pressures [1][19]. Group 1: Historical Context - In the 1950s, U.S. trade policy appeared stable, but underlying changes were occurring as the U.S. began to set barriers on domestic industries despite previously advocating for free trade [1]. - The political landscape made it difficult to distinguish between the Democratic and Republican parties regarding trade policy, as both parties shifted their positions on tariffs and trade agreements [3]. Group 2: Regional Economic Shifts - The Southern U.S. economy transitioned from relying on cotton exports to developing labor-intensive industries like textiles, leading to a demand for higher tariffs to protect local production [5][6]. - By 1947, three-quarters of U.S. textiles were produced in the South, prompting Southern Democratic lawmakers to ally with Republican protectionists to support higher tariffs [6]. Group 3: International Trade Dynamics - The U.S. faced challenges in international trade as European nations formed trade alliances that created barriers for American goods, countering the initial intentions of the Marshall Plan [10][11]. - The establishment of the European Economic Community and the European Free Trade Association in the late 1950s complicated U.S. access to European markets, leading to regret over earlier U.S. policies [10][11]. Group 4: Policy Evolution - The 1959 introduction of the Mandatory Oil Import Quota aimed to protect the U.S. oil industry but inadvertently led to higher prices due to OPEC's formation, illustrating the long-term consequences of short-term protectionist measures [13]. - President Kennedy's Trade Expansion Act of 1962 was framed as a response to international competition but included provisions that allowed for protectionist measures under the guise of national security [15][17]. Group 5: Legacy of Trade Policy - The Trade Expansion Act became a foundational element of U.S. trade protectionism, allowing future administrations to impose tariffs under the pretext of national security, a practice that continues today [17][19]. - The article concludes that the trade policies of the 1950s laid the groundwork for current global trade tensions, highlighting the long-lasting impact of historical decisions on present circumstances [21].