484 CHAPTER 15|FOREIGN POLICY
assistance or the use of ship-launched cruise missiles to attack terrorist camps and
similar targets.^43
The size and power of America’s military provide numerous options for policy
makers. For example, after the September 11 attacks, in an attempt to prevent
future terror attacks by Al Qaeda, U.S. forces invaded Afghanistan, which had
been used as a base of operations for the organization.^44 It is highly unlikely that
any other country could carry out such a large-scale operation so far from home.
Nonetheless, military force is not all-powerful. At the end of 2012 American
troops were still fi ghting in Afghanistan, with their mission by no means success-
fully accomplished.TRADE AND ECONOMIC POLICIES
Foreign policy is also aimed at sustaining economic growth in the United States
and elsewhere, as well as creating foreign markets for the goods produced by
America’s domestic industries. Figure 15.1 shows total American trade (imports
and exports) with other countries over the last 40 years, expressed as a percent-
age of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP, a measure of the size of the U.S. econ-
omy). In recent years imports and exports have constituted more than 40 percent
of GDP.1970197219741976197819801982198419861988199019921994199619982000200220042006102030Relative to U.S. GDP4050%Goods and services
and payments and earnings on investment2008Source: Offi ce of the U.S. Trade Representative, “2010 Trade Policy Agenda and 2009 Annual Report,” Febru-
ary 2010, http://www.ustr.gov/2010-trade-policy-agenda (accessed 9/25/12).U.S. IMPORTS AND EXPORTS AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROSS
DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP)This fi gure illustrates the importance of trade to the U.S. economy. In recent years,
imports and exports have made up more than 40 percent of U.S. economic activity, and
the percentage is steadily increasing. Based on these data, what arguments would you
make for lowering or increasing barriers to trade?