---
title: "Time to get tough on mercantilists"
summary: |-
  It’s time the United States gets tough on mercantilists, and enforces the intellectual property criterion as a condition of preferential trade benefits.
date: "2013-11-05"
issues: ["Clean Energy Innovation"]
authors: ["Michelle Wein"]
content_type: "Op-Eds & Contributed Articles"
canonical_url: "https://itif.org/publications/2013/11/05/time-get-tough-mercantilists/"
---

# Time to get tough on mercantilists

The United States’ Generalized System of Preferences program promotes growth in the developing world by giving trade benefits to several beneficiary countries. But given how many countries flagrantly disregard the intellectual property criterion, it’s time to reconsider which countries deserve this assistance.

---
*Source: Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF)*
*URL: https://itif.org/publications/2013/11/05/time-get-tough-mercantilists/*