"If we increase the number of H-1B visas that are available to U.S. companies, employment of U.S. nationals would likely grow as well. For instance, Microsoft has found that for every H-1B hire we make, we add on average four additional employees to support them in various capacities."
Bill Gates,
Testimony before the Committee on Science and Technology, US House of Representatives,
March 12, 2008.
By Daniel T. Griswold
Dan Griswold is director of Trade and Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute.
October 30, 1997
Executive Summary
The case for passing fast-track trade legislation is simple: The most promising approach for advancing free trade in today's global economy is through negotiated trade agreements, and those agreements will be difficult if not impossible to reach if the president of the United States is denied fast-track authority.
Free trade allows Americans to live freer and more prosperous lives. Trade with other nations benefits consumers with lower prices and more choice, while producers gain export markets, new technology and lower-cost inputs. Export-related jobs in the United States pay more and are growing four times faster than non-export jobs.
To promote free trade, Congress should pass a "clean" fast-track bill, one that specifically forbids the inclusion of labor and environmental standards in future trade agreements. Adding labor and environmental issues to the agenda would only provide another pretext for protectionism.
 Full Text of Briefing Paper no. 34 (PDF, 50 KB) |
Despite Doha collapse, free trade is marching on
Bad Trade
Expanding trade is a key to winning presidency
All That and a 30-cent Mojito
by Jason Kuznicki
October 7, 2008
Punish Goverments, Not People
by Juan Carlos Hidalgo
October 6, 2008
HRW's Deafening Denunciation of Hugo Chávez
by Juan Carlos Hidalgo
September 19, 2008
Support the Cato Institute
1000 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W. Washington D.C. 20001-5403
Phone (202) 842-0200 Fax (202) 842-3490
All Rights Reserved © 2006 - 2008 Cato Institute