In a 31 July statement and a New York Times op-ed a week later, USTR Jamieson Greer laid out a defense of US global trade policy as accomplishments that expand market access for the US, defend American industries, and reassert US leadership. In one striking line, he wrote, "This is not the time to debate how many angels can dance on the head of a pin," meaning not to waste time on debate when urgent matters are at hand. Begging to differ, Maria Pagan, former deputy USTR, writes for the Hinrich Foundation to offer some reflections on Greer’s assertions.
It was considered the crowning achievement of eight years of arduous negotiations but, this year, as the WTO commemorates its 30th anniversary, its once-fabled dispute settlement system lies crippled and unlikely to be reformed anytime soon. How did we get here? Keith Rockwell explores.
In 2000, the US and EU dominated trade with the Asia-Pacific, Europe, large parts of Africa, and South America. China was the largest partner for only a few smaller economies. Visual Capitalist shows how China came to dominate global trade over the last 25 years.
The Asia Society Policy Institute’s Vice President Wendy Cutler shared views at a private lunch with the Hinrich Foundation and guests to discussthe fast-changing trade and tariff policies in the US and possible pathways forward. Sharing some snaps here.
The Foreign Correspondents Association Singapore and the Hinrich Foundation will co-host a discussion on 13 August featuring Deborah Elms and Steve Okun on Trump’s tariffs. Register here.
TRADE POLICY
Reflections on the angels on Jamieson Greer's pin
Maria L. Pagan 12 August 2025
In a 31 July statement and a New York Times op-ed a week later, USTR Jamieson Greer laid out a defense of US global trade policy as accomplishments that expand market access for the US, defend American industries, and reassert American leadership. "Global trade is now being organized around the principles of fair and balanced trade, all pursued in support of countries’ economic and national security," Greer wrote. "This is not the time to debate how many angels can dance on the head of a pin." The colloquialism is a striking one: It means don’t waste time on debate when urgent matters are at hand. Begging to differ, Maria Pagan, former deputy USTR, writes for the Hinrich Foundation to offer some reflections on Greer’s assertions.
The deep roots of the WTO’s deadlock over dispute settlement
Keith Rockwell 12 August 2025
As the WTO commemorates its 30th anniversary, its once-fabled dispute settlement system lies crippled. No delegation at the WTO believes dispute reform will happen anytime soon. How did we get here? And how much of a reality check would the WTO need to reform the system? Senior Research Fellow Keith Rockwell explores the history and troubled future of the system.
In 2000, the US was the top trading partner for the world’s biggest commercial regions including major Asia-Pacific economies. The EU dominated trade within Europe and with large parts of Africa and Asia. China was the largest partner for only a few smaller economies. Now, China has become the largest trading partner for nearly all of Asia, much of Africa, and most of South America. Visual Capitalist shows how global trade dominance changed over the last quarter-century.
Trump follows through on changing the global trade order
August 1 saw the imposition of new tariff rates on US trading partners reflecting new “deals” made, or not. Japan, Korea, and Indonesia secured deals, though at least several trading partners seem to lack clarity in what exactly was agreed. In a surprise to many, India was not only left without a deal, but slapped with 50% tariffs, in part due to their oil purchases from Russia. These tariffs are already weighing on global growth, but the revenue they're pouring into the US' coffers could make them hard to quit. Check out what we've been reading.
The Hinrich Foundation hosted the Asia Society Policy Institute’s Vice President Wendy Cutler to a private roundtable lunch to discuss the fast-changing trade and tariff policies in the US, the likely outlook for global growth, and possible pathways forward for trading partners. We share some snaps from the session.
The Hinrich Foundation will be hosting an in-person discussion organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association Singapore on 13 August to examine Trump’s tariffs for Asia. Featuring Deborah Elms, Head of Trade Policy at the Hinrich Foundation, and Steve Okun, Founder and CEO of APAC Advisors, this session will delve into the origins, mechanics, and regional impact of Trump’s trade policy. Register here to attend.
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