Trade Takes a Village

Step away from the anti-trade rhetoric in Washington and into the shoes of state and local leaders. One reality becomes clear: Too much is at stake for the United States to go it alone on trade.

Local leaders see the evidence every day, because substantial parts of their workforces and economies depend on international trade and investment, the very thing it appears President Donald Trump is about to step away from.

A recent gathering of governors was a testament to that as they traveled to Washington for their national winter meeting. Once there, they met with leaders from individual Australian states. Teams from abroad have come before, but this time was different. This was the most senior Australian political and business delegation ever to visit the United States. They travelled 10,000 miles and accompanied Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who was scheduled to deliver the keynote speech.

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