Imports pour into the United States, up by 79 percent in six years. The trade deficit more than doubles. The House of Representatives solidly rejects a bill that would liberalize global and regional trade and endorses import quotas for a major manufactured product by a two-to-one margin....

From 1975 through 1993, five US presidents were granted fast-track trade negotiating authority by the Congress. This authority has enabled them to submit legislation implementing trade agreements to Congress under procedures that assure an up-or-down vote, without amendments, within a limited...

In January 1993, President Bill Clinton established in his Executive Office the National Economic Council, parallel to the National Security Council born 45 years before. Its official purpose was to "coordinate the economic policymaking process with respect to domestic and international economic...