by Andy Sundberg

Andy Sundberg is a long-term US resident overseas and founder and director of several overseas American organizations

Given the preeminent role that the United States plays, and wants to keep playing, in world trade, what we do and how we try to do it can have enormous consequences for all of us.

But in a world in which raw materials and manufactured components are moving across borders at a record pace, and worldwide sourcing is becoming increasingly ubiquitous, what does the concept of “Buy American” really mean anymore?  Paradoxically, it might just make “Selling American” much more difficult.

Imagine also, for a moment, that the U.S. Government actually started to see the wisdom of regularly talking to private sector overseas Americans too, to try to get a better feel for what is actually happening on the ground all over the world.  This is not the realm of diplomats but of the practical day to day life of tough and creative decision-makers in myriad markets scattered all across our planet.

Sounds utopian today, doesn’t it, but who knows, maybe we as a nation might finally grow up and open our eyes and ears to learn some useful lessons from this freely available source of priceless knowledge and hard earned experience.

Such is the common wisdom and practice of a growing number of other countries who have already integrated their diasporas into their strategic planning and national promotion.

The following stories in the Financial Times address some of these themes.  They have enormous implications not only for folks back home but also for U.S. citizens living and working abroad.

• “Obama Urged To Curb Buy American Measures,” FT, 25 May 2009
• “Initiative backfires for US companies,” FT, 25 May 2009
• “US free trade promises must be honoured,” FT, 19 May 2009
• “Not so free trade,” FT, 24 March 2009

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