We are conducting listening sessions-- in the form of conversations--with a cross-section of Americans about their experiences with international trade and globalization. We want to hear opinions on what is needed for America and Americans to remain competitive in the 21st century.
Our goals:
- Build a new, nonpartisan, publicly-supported dynamic set of U.S. policies around international trade and investment.
- Provide easy-to-understand, information to the public about international trade.
- Provide a conduit for ongoing public engagement and discussion around international trade and globalization.
We began in Michigan and Ohio in early 2018, expanded to the rest of the Midwest and then to the rest of the United States. We have covered 37 cities and almost every region in the United States. We are innovating the methodology for engagement by marrying informal conversations with focus groups. Both the informal conversations and the focus groups reflect diverse cross-sections of society.
Those conducting the sessions are experienced in international trade and investment policy. Sessions are meticulously documented. Based on the results of the sessions, an advisory board of eminent U.S. leaders in the area of international trade and investment have helped shape recommendations for new policies and programs. We plan to update the recommendations through a continuous loop of input from the public to ensure that policies stay on the right track.
To assist in meaningful public engagement, over the long term, we will provide up-to-date, impartial, fact-based information about international trade that is geared to individual states and localities and can foster continued conversation.
The dynamics of the U.S. economy are continuing to evolve as a result of technological advances and continued globalization The 70-year political consensus in the United States that open trade and investment policies would provide the most benefit to the country and its people needs to be redfined. Some have benefited greatly from these past policies and others have not. We look to help build a publicly -supported consensus on what U.S. trade and investment policy should look like, along with suggestions for an organized plan on how to deal with the negative effects of globalization on individuals.
A new consensus on the elements of U.S. trade and investment policy that will benefit Americans and secure our future must be built and take into account input from the public.
Contact: Catherine A. Novelli
President, Listening for America
For press inquiries please contact Chris Lisi at 202-549-0696 or