Americans have grown skeptical of trade agreements, despite the strong postwar record of their strategic and economic benefits. Too many believe that trade agreements simply allow other nations to take advantage of the U.S. by engaging in distorting subsidies, non-tariff barriers, and other violations of the spirit and letter of the agreements. This skepticism underscores the importance of strong trade enforcement by the federal government.

But while trade enforcement is vital, there are both right ways and wrong ways to enforce those agreements.