Policy Currents | The newsletter for policy people
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** Oct. 22, 2024
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U.S. Economic Policies Toward China Have Had Mixed Success
Between 2017 and 2024, U.S. economic policies toward China have focused on promoting fair trade and defending U.S. interests. A new RAND report explores this period of heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing, assessing the effectiveness of U.S. tariffs, restrictions on investment and exports, supply chain diversification, and efforts to boost domestic manufacturing.
Overall, the authors find that these policies have had mixed results. For instance, U.S. tariffs have succeeded in reducing imports and the bilateral trade deficit with China. Washington has also had some success in reducing China's access to sensitive U.S. technologies through lawful means. However, U.S. policies have largely failed at ensuring fairer treatment for American firms in China and at persuading Beijing to stop its unfair trade practices.
America's approach has not been without costs. Some policies--particularly tariff increases--have come at a price, such as reduced U.S. economic growth and losses in U.S. manufacturing jobs, output, and exports.
The authors offer several recommendations that could help advance U.S. goals. For example, Washington could maintain higher tariffs on select Chinese imports, while offering to reduce certain U.S. tariffs in exchange for reductions of Chinese tariffs on U.S. exports. It could also consider ending subsidies to companies in sectors that are not vital for U.S. national security and in which Chinese firms have a clear advantage. And U.S. leaders could signal that Chinese foreign direct investments that do not threaten national security are welcome.
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Exploring the Issues Facing America's Veterans
There are roughly 18.6 million military veterans in the United States. And with aging, differences in post-9/11 service, and changes in the delivery of care, veterans' needs are becoming more complex. What are the top issues facing veterans and the Department of Veterans Affairs? RAND experts recently answered key questions on this important topic, discussing how to prevent homelessness and suicide, how the United States might improve employment opportunities, what the VA can do to ensure that women's health care needs are met, and much more.
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How to Restore Freshwater Ecosystems
America's freshwater ecosystems are essential. They mitigate floods, enhance the water supply, and provide economic benefits through ecosystem services and fisheries. But efforts to restore and preserve rivers, lakes, and wetlands pose a serious policy challenge. According to RAND experts, a one-size-fits-all approach is often unsuccessful. That's because effective management of freshwater ecosystems requires buy-in from a broad spectrum of stakeholders; consideration of different regulatory frameworks, fragmented governance, and funding uncertainty; and monitoring and evaluating complex scientific processes.
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** RAND Recommends
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- How are voting, volunteering, and other acts of civic engagement connected to health and well-being? RAND's Anita Chandra explains.
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** Events
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Policy Lab: Generative AI and Information Warfare
Thursday, October 24, 2024 (Online)
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Racial and Socioeconomic Divides in Algebra Teaching and Learning
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 (Online)
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Addressing Imploding Health Care Systems: Is Primary Care Reform Really the Answer?
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 (Online)
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Expert Views on State-Level Policies for Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder
Thursday, November 14, 2024 (Online)
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** Apply for RAND's Summer Associate Program
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Are you a graduate student? Do you want to help tackle the world's toughest policy problems? Applications for our Summer Associate Program are now open. Apply by December 2nd for an opportunity to spend summer 2025 at RAND.
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