*{The US at the Turn of the Century [http://www.weforum.org/site/knowledgenavigator.nsf/Content/The%20US%20at%20the%20Turn%20of%20the%20Century?open&topic_id=300250000&theme_id=300] 31.01.1999 Annual Meeting 1999} *partie=titre US leaders reaffirm America's internationalism *partie=nil As the world leader of the globalization process, the United States will have to become more sensitive to the needs of other countries and focus more attention on educating the American public about the benefits of a global economy. This means warding off calls for protectionism in the United States and envisaging new trade partnerships, particularly with Europe. This was the major thrust of the session on the future of US foreign policy at the turn of the century. Republican US Congressman Jim Leach from Iowa called for the creation of a free-trade zone between North America and Europe. Leach said the United States and Europe should set aside differences and develop a partnership between NAFTA and the European Union. Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Chairman of Kissinger Associates, supported Congressman Leach's proposal, saying that besides forming a free-trade area over a period of time, the United States and Europe must come to agreement on an exchange rate between the dollar and euro. He said Americans and European should not allow extreme fluctuation between the two currencies as this would contribute to economic instability. "We must avoid a situation where the United States and Europe identify themselves by their opposition to each other," he said, adding that if a political settlement were reached, the US will not have to worry about the euro's impact on the dollar. US Senator John Kerry from Massachusetts warned that support for protectionism will grow if the US population is not educated about the benefits of globalization and if emerging markets perceive the United States as not being sensitive enough to their needs. Kerry said the US must adopt a pro-growth approach in its foreign policy but become far more sensitive to the needs of the developing world. The United States needs to lead and manage globalization," Kerry said. "Globalization is a phenomenon, not an economic movement," he added. "It needs to be tamed". This means being sensitive to and engaged in helping those countries which have adopted International Monetary Fund reforms and the American model of free market economic policies. Kerry stressed that although the US population is largely internationalist rather than isolationist, this could change if the US economy comes under pressure. Congressman Leach agreed, saying that the greatest danger comes from US politicians who support protectionism for political gain once difficulties emerge in the global economy. Congressman Leach also issued a plea to build a strong, international banking system. *{Contributors: Kerry John F. Leach Jim Platt Lewis E.}