Editorial Board

A Vacuum of Leadership on Trade

Governments should help the global economy realize its full potential.

July 25, 2016 at 6:00 AM UTC

By The Editorial Board

The Editorial Board publishes the views of the editors across a range of national and global affairs.

These guys need convincing.
Photographer: Olivier Douliery/Getty Images

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The liberal economic order created in the second half of the 20th century has rarely seemed in such danger. The U.S. and Europe led the way in building that system but are no longer its champions.

The next U.S. president, it seems, will be either a timid, wavering defender of trade or an outright protectionist. Meanwhile, Britain’s decision to leave the European Union brings the prospect of new trade barriers within the EU, threatening wider disruption to what’s been up to now a model of economic integration.