What role does Project 2025 assign to trade policies in strengthening national security, and what are the potential implications for international relations?
Project 2025 links trade policies directly to national security, arguing that economic strength is a critical component of national defense.
The document suggests that robust trade policies can help build alliances and deter aggression from adversaries by making economic relationships mutually beneficial, thus reducing the likelihood of conflict.
It proposes reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO) and crafting trade agreements that exclude non-democratic nations, aiming to create a trading bloc of liberal democracies.
While these policies may strengthen ties with allies and protect against economic coercion from adversaries like China and Russia, they could also isolate the U.S. from important markets and disrupt global supply chains, potentially leading to economic inefficiencies and increased costs for American businesses and consumers [Project 2025, page 842].