The mission of the Cato Institute Center for Trade Policy Studies is to increase public understanding of the benefits of free trade and the costs of protectionism.
The site examines the politicisation of trade and questions whether foreign policy trade sanctions lead to the desired changes in other countries’ policies. It focuses on both U.S. protectionism and on trade barriers around the world, and examines how the negotiation of multilateral, regional, and bilateral trade agreements can reduce trade barriers and provide institutional support for open markets.
The centre seeks to advance its mission by participating aggressively in the trade policy debate, through:
- publishing briefing papers, policy analyses, and books
- holding policy forums and conferences
- actively engaging policymakers and opinion leaders