De-Globalization: Is it Real? The 35th Annual Monetary & Trade Conference

Recent political developments cast doubt on the importance of globalization and question the benefits associated with free trade and open markets. While academic research has documented welfare benefits from free trade, some skeptics have recently argued that globalization has gone too far, causing dislocation of jobs, amplifying inequality, and creating vulnerabilities in the global financial system. In response, it is proposed that the fast pace of interdependence should be reversed to preserve employment, improve national prosperity, and stimulate demand through investing in local, not global, business opportunities. The conference will focus on three aspects of the debate of de-globalization: (a) free trade, (b) investment flows, and (c) global financial system vulnerabilities. Consideration will be placed on addressing challenges and concerns, but will also explore new arising opportunities from globalization.

• Session 1: Safeguarding Free Trade – Challenges and Opportunities Christian Henn, Economist, Strategy, Policy, and Review Department, International Monetary Fund Camille M. Miller, Co-Chair, Intellectual Property Department, Cozen O’Connor Mykyta Vesselovsky, Senior Research Coordinator for Global Affairs Canada, Canada’s Government William M. Powers, Chief Economist and Director, United States International Trade Commission, Office of Economics

• Session 2: Vulnerabilities and Risks for the Global Financial System Michael Papaioannou, Deputy Division Chief, International Monetary Fund Marcos Poplawski-Ribeiro, Economist, World Economic Studies Division, Research Department, International Monetary Fund

• Session 3: Global Investment Behavior in an Increasingly Uncertain Environment Mark Zandi, Chief Economist, Moody’s Analytics Joseph H. Davis, Global Chief Economist and Global Head, Investment Strategy Group, Vanguard