TOP 5 Âť INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
Political Uncertainty Stalls Trade Growth
by Leslie Haymon & Andy Karellas International trade remains a divisive topic globally as nations grapple with anti-trade sentiments from voters. President Donald Trump has announced an America First trade policy. Negotiations continue between the United Kingdom and the European Union, with talks expected to extend through 2019. Around the Pacific Rim, the withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership has reverberated as nations look to alternative trade arrangements. A continued pivot away from broad, multi-party free trade agreements holds sub-
JAN/FEB 2018 | CAPITOL IDEAS
Global Health
18
Global pandemics and health threats pose continuing challenges to states. It is likely that in 2018, states will confront, again, the potential hazards of pandemic disease. Ebola virus and Zika virus outbreaks in 2014 and 2016 strained state health resources and required agencies to dust off pandemic containment strategies. Even common, but still dangerous, diseases like measles have re-emerged in recent years, placing state governments in a disease management role. International air travel places more people than ever at risk for exposure. Effective planning and collaboration with local and federal agencies and officials will be critical to disease management.