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The $2 Trillion Question
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The $2 Trillion Question

How Can Leaders on Both Sides of the Pacific Take Advantage of America’s Infrastructure Crisis?

Patrick Sabol
BFA, 2013
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8

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Recommendation

Policy researcher Patrick Sabol exposes the cracks in America’s outmoded infrastructure and urges the US government to take decisive action to upgrade the nation’s capital assets. Sabol suggests four steps to lure foreign investment to US shores, fostering a “win-win” outcome for all. getAbstract recommends this clear, brief article to central and local government representatives tasked with kick-starting infrastructure projects in their constituencies.

Summary

Though Asia is undergoing an “infrastructure boom” epitomized by its cutting-edge airports, seaports and rail networks, US capital expenditure has stalled. In fact, the United States must inject $2.2 trillion to modernize its infrastructure in order to satisfy the nation’s needs. Following 30 years of underinvestment, America now trails other countries in terms of capital spending as a share of gross domestic product. It invests just 2% of its GDP in infrastructure; Japan, South Korea and Australia commit 6%, 5% and 4%, respectively. If the US ignores this crisis, it could forgo $3.1 trillion ...

About the Author

Patrick Sabol is a senior policy research assistant with the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. He was previously a consultant to the Clinton Global Initiative.

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