Foreign Policy and Free Trade
Key Observations:
First: Trade drives American prosperity. It’s not just theory: it’s your job, your products, your daily life.
Second: Our closest allies are also our biggest customers. Canada, Mexico, the European Union, and Japan. These aren’t just political partners, they’re economic lifelines.
Third: Countries that embrace global trade grow faster. History proves it. Data confirms it.
Fourth: Economic engagement gives us geopolitical influence. When we trade, we shape global standards and values.
Fifth: Protectionism backfires. Tariffs and trade wars don’t protect American workers—they raise costs for families and businesses
Introduction:
America’s prosperity isn’t just about what we do within our borders, but how we engage with the world beyond them.
For decades, the United States has stood as a global leader. But that leadership is facing its greatest test. The question isn’t whether we should engage with the world. The question is: how do we engage in ways that strengthen American workers, protect our values, and secure our future?
Project 2026 provides a comprehensive vision for rebuilding American leadership through smart diplomacy and fair trade.
Below is Project RAD’s plan for Sensible Foreign Policy and Free Trade
📘Rebuild and Modernize U.S. Global Alliances
🎯 Objective:
Strengthen diplomatic alliances to promote global stability and shared democratic values.
✅ Key Actions:
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Reaffirm Commitment to NATO and UN: Reinforce U.S. leadership and financial commitments to multilateral institutions.
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Restore Diplomatic Corps: Reinvest in the State Department, increase staffing, and fill all ambassadorial positions with qualified professionals.
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Expand Strategic Alliances: Strengthen ties with emerging democracies in Africa, Asia, and Latin America through political and economic cooperation.
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Host a Global Democracy Summit: Convene allied nations to coordinate on human rights, election integrity, and anti-corruption policies.
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Modernize Foreign Aid: Restore and align U.S. aid programs (especially USAID) with long-term development goals, not short-term politics.
📘 Promote Free, Fair, and Equitable Trade
🎯 Objective:
Foster open markets that benefit American workers, consumers, and allies.
✅ Key Actions:
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Rejoin and Reform Trade Pacts: Return to trade agreements like the CPTPP (formerly TPP) with stronger labor and environmental standards.
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End Unilateral Tariffs: Replace ad-hoc tariffs with consistent trade enforcement using WTO-compliant mechanisms.
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Enforce Labor and Environmental Standards: Hold trading partners accountable to agreed-upon labor laws and climate standards in all deals.
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Support Domestic Industries for Export Readiness: Fund programs to help small and medium-sized businesses access global markets.
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Trade Adjustment Assistance: Expand support for U.S. workers displaced by trade through retraining and relocation programs.
📘 Restore U.S. Leadership on Global Challenges
🎯 Objective:
Lead international efforts to address climate change, health, technology, and conflict.
✅ Key Actions:
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Climate Diplomacy: Re-engage fully in the Paris Climate Agreement and lead global emissions-cutting coalitions with enforceable goals.
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Global Health Security: Strengthen partnerships with WHO and CDC equivalents worldwide to prepare for and contain pandemics.
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Technology Alliances: Form coalitions with democratic countries to set global norms on AI, cybersecurity, and digital surveillance.
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Global Peacekeeping and Conflict Prevention: Fund early-warning systems and peacekeeping missions to prevent crises before escalation.
📘 Balance National Security with Diplomacy
🎯 Objective:
Use diplomacy as the first tool of foreign policy, while maintaining a smart national defense.
✅ Key Actions:
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Revive Nuclear Arms Agreements: Re-enter arms reduction talks with Russia and China to prevent proliferation.
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Diplomacy with Adversaries: Engage in sustained, principled dialogue with nations like Iran, North Korea, and China to reduce tensions.
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Limit Endless Military Engagements: Phase out indefinite troop deployments and redirect resources to diplomacy and soft power.
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Prioritize Cybersecurity and Drone Technology in Defense Strategy: Increase joint defense programs with allies to defend against cyberattacks and digital warfare. Invest in Drone technology.
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Reform the War Powers Act: Require Congressional approval for extended military action beyond 60 days.
📘 Integrate Economic Diplomacy with Domestic Priorities
🎯 Objective:
Ensure that foreign economic policy strengthens American jobs, innovation, and resilience.
✅ Key Actions:
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Reshore Critical Supply Chains: Use trade policy to bring manufacturing of key products (e.g., semiconductors, PPE) back to the U.S. or allied nations.
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Create a “Friend-Shoring” Strategy: Prioritize trade relationships with reliable partners to reduce dependence on authoritarian economies.
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Green Trade Policies: Promote clean-energy industries through export incentives, green subsidies, and carbon border adjustments.
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Bilateral Trade Councils: Establish standing trade councils with key partners (e.g., EU, India, Japan, Brazil) to address disputes and opportunities in real time.
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Invest in Diplomatic Economic Training: Equip U.S. diplomats with deeper trade, tech, and financial expertise to advance U.S. economic interests abroad.
TAKE ACTION – Contact Congress
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Congressional Committees That Oversee Foreign Policy and Free Trade
Foreign Policy
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
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The main foreign policy committee in the Senate.
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Jurisdiction includes:
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Treaties and diplomatic nominations (e.g., Ambassadors)
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Foreign aid and sanctions
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U.S. participation in international organizations
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Oversight of the State Department and Foreign Service
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🔑 This committee plays a central role in shaping U.S. international engagement.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
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Primary committee for foreign policy.
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Jurisdiction includes:
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Diplomatic relations
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U.S. foreign aid and humanitarian assistance
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International organizations (e.g., the UN)
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Global human rights and security policy
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Arms control and export policy
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Subcommittees include:
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Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations
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Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation
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Europe, Energy, the Environment, and Cyber
Free Trade
Senate Committee on Finance
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Senate counterpart to Ways and Means on trade matters.
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Jurisdiction includes:
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Tariffs, trade agreements, and trade enforcement
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Oversight of the USTR and trade remedy laws
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Trade provisions in tax and revenue bills
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🔹 House Committee on Ways and Means
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Primary committee for trade policy.
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Jurisdiction includes:
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Tariffs and customs
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Free trade agreements (FTAs) (e.g., USMCA, WTO)
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Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)
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Oversight of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
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Additional Committees with Overlapping Interests
| Chamber | Committee | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Both | Armed Services Committees (House & Senate) | Oversee military aspects of foreign policy and national security |
| Both | Intelligence Committees (House & Senate) | Oversight of foreign intelligence activities and global threats |
| Both | Appropriations Committees (State & Foreign Operations Subcommittees) | Funding for foreign aid, diplomacy, and international programs |