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Clyde Prestowitz

Clyde Prestowitz

Founder and President

Economic Strategy Institute

Clyde Prestowitz is founder and President of the Economic Strategy Institute. His leadership has propelled ESI into an important role in the public policy process, influencing and often defining the terms of the debate in the areas of international trade policy, economic competitiveness, and the effects of globalization. Mr. Prestowitz has played key roles in achieving congressional passage of NAFTA and in shaping the final content of the Uruguay Round, as well as providing the intellectual basis for current U.S. trade policies toward Japan, China, and Korea.

Prior to founding ESI, Mr. Prestowitz served as counselor to the Secretary of Commerce in the Reagan Administration. There, he led many U.S. trade and investment negotiations with Japan, China, Latin America, and Europe. Before joining the Commerce Department, he was a senior businessman in the United States, Europe, Japan, and throughout Asia and Latin America. He has served as vice chairman of the President's Committee on Trade and Investment in the Pacific and sits on the Intel Policy Advisory Board and the U.S. Export-Import Bank Advisory Board.

Mr. Prestowitz has a B.A. with honors from Swarthmore College; an M.A. in East-West Policies and Economics from the East-West Center of the University of Hawaii; and an M.B.A. from the Wharton Graduate School of Business. He also studied at Keio University in Tokyo. He is fluent in Japanese, Dutch, German, and French.

Recent Publications

May 21, 2020

China’s Reaction to the Pandemic Shows Why the U.S. and Its Allies Need a NATO for Trade

Rob Atkinson and Clyde Prestowitz explain in the Washington Post why it is important for America and its allies to consider such measure as Beijing is trying to intimidate foreign governments.

More publications by Clyde Prestowitz

Recent Events and Presentations

December 1, 2017

Trade, Technology and the Future of U.S. Manufacturing

Join ITIF for two expert panels on the intersection of technology and the future of U.S. manufacturing.

September 23, 2016

What’s Needed to Restore Faith in Trade and Globalization?

Join ITIF for a discussion of the politics of trade and restoring faith in globalization.

June 30, 2010

Book Discussion with Clyde Prestowitz: "The Betrayal of American Prosperity"

ITIF hosts a presentation by Clyde Prestowitz on his new book, "The Betrayal of American Prosperity: Free Market Delusions, America's Decline, and How We Must Compete in the Post-Dollar Era."

April 8, 2010

Resolved: The U.S. Can and Should Pick Winners

This ITIF debate will discuss the role government should play in U.S. innovation and economic policy.

September 10, 2008

Is the U.S. Falling Behind in Science & Technology or Not?

ITIF will host a forum discussing U.S. competitiveness in science and technology, and release a report responding to RAND’s U.S. Competitiveness in Science and Technology report.

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