[B]uilding a coalition of support for open international markets is a great political challenge. The truth is, this administration has never so much as tried. It has scored dismally low marks on trade policy, frequently caving to protectionist interests on demand. The president’s standing is so low that if he were to reverse himself now and try to support liberal trade, he might actually set the cause back even more. In all, the outlook for open markets has rarely seemed so bleak.
Under what scenario would increased efforts by the President to support trade liberalization result in damage to the cause?
Trade Diversion 