General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Oh Shit... 'Democrats' Frustration With Obama Boils Over In Trade Battle' - HuffPo [View all]pampango
(24,692 posts)'globalization'.
There are many (particularly but not exclusively on the far-right) who blame FDR and Truman for 'globalization' (which they see as a 'liberal' plot, of course, along with 'open borders', 'multiculturalism', 'secularism', etc.). FDR inherited a "high-tariff, low-trade" economy from Coolidge/Hoover. Rather than leaving that alone, first he lowered tariffs starting in 1934, 'liberalized' global trade and proposed (in 1944) the International Trade Organization (ITO) which would have really kicked 'globalization' into high gear if the republican senate had not killed it.
After FDR's death Truman finalized and implemented GATT then completed negotiations with 20 other countries on the International Trade Organization and submitted it to the Senate - where it died.
Republicans routinely campaigned against this 'liberalized' trade but could not stop its advance until they won control of congress and were able to defeat the ITO.