For decades, if not longer, the ideas of free trade have been a key part of the American political discussion. However, the cenrality of free trade can no longer be taken for granted, as the preferences of voters and the politicians who represent them seem to be changing.

The Smith Soc chapter at Georgetown University's McDonough Schoool has invited two policy experts, who have advised presidents and presidential candidates on trade issues, to share their views on the future of U.S. trade policy and the evolving status of free trade ideas. We are looking forward to them bringing both vigorous discussion and spirited debate to bear on the issues.

About the Speakers

Oren Cass is a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, where he focuses on energy, the environment, and antipoverty policy. He was domestic policy director of Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign in 2011–12. In that role, Cass shaped campaign policy and communication on issues from health care to energy to trade. He spoke regularly on behalf of the campaign, including in debates at Harvard University on health care policy and at MIT on energy and environmental policy. Since then, Cass has outlined conservative policy approaches on poverty, climate change, environmental regulation, and international trade. Cass has briefed members of Congress and congressional staff in both the House and Senate and his essays and columns have been published in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, National Affairs, City Journal, National Review, Investor’s Business Daily, and Washington Examiner.

Prior to joining MI, Cass was a management consultant for Bain & Company in the firm’s Boston and New Delhi offices, where he advised global companies across a range of industries on implementing growth strategies and performance-improvement programs. He holds a B.A. in political economy from Williams College and a J.D. from Harvard University, where he was an editor and the vice president of volume 125 of the Harvard Law Review.

John Veroneau is a Chambers’ ranked international trade lawyer and is a partner in the International Trade Practice Group at Covington & Burling LLP. Having served in senior positions in both Executive and Legislative branches of the Federal Government, he provides legal and strategic advice to clients on a broad range of international trade and other public policy matters.

Mr. Veroneau was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Ambassador and Deputy United States Trade Representative (USTR) under President George W. Bush. He previously served as USTR’s General Counsel. In these capacities, he worked on a wide range of matters, including negotiating trade and investment agreements, initiating and defending World Trade Organization (WTO) disputes, executing U.S. trade laws, and assisting U.S. companies address foreign trade barriers. Mr. Veroneau was also confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Assistant Secretary of Defense under President Clinton. He has extensive experience in the U.S. Congress, having served as Legislative Director to Senator Bill Cohen, Legislative Director to Majority Leader Bill Frist and Chief of Staff to Senator Susan Collins. He is a member of both the Maryland and District of Columbia Bar. He received both a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Maine.