Strengthening Linkages Between U.S. Trade Policy and Environmental Capacity Building

Publication Date: July 2003

Publisher: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Author(s): Vanessa Ulmer; John Audley

Research Area: Environment; Trade

Type: Report

Abstract:

Attention to trade-related technical assistance and capacity building has surged as people from all walks of life explore how the global trade regime can be structured to better promote equitable, sustainable human development. Trade capacity building strengthens human, physical, and institutional capacities within developing countries to participate in trade negotiations, implement trade commitments, and benefit from integration into the global trading system. In light of the Bush Administration's goal to "ignite a new era of global economic growth through free markets and free trade," capacity building has become an important component of the United States bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade negotiations.

This paper specifically examines U.S. efforts to work with its trading partners in building their trade-related capacities for environmental protection and sustainable development.