The United States trade policy is adrift, seemingly guided by the protectionist winds of an insular Congress, and an administration that seems more focused on enhancing unilateral enforcement mechanisms than affirming a strong commitment to free trade. In a recent speech, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk signalled the administration's desire to enhance domestic legislative tools for use in trade disputes, and plans for asking trading partners to "commit to actions that level the playing field".

As a result, America's closest trading partners are worried and angry; our exporters are anxious; and, just two months into the Obama administration, 60 years of US leadership on free trade is in jeopardy.

Since the 1940s, the US has led the charge to remove international barriers to...