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C. Fred BergstenAmerican economist, writer, political consultant.
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Fred Bergsten: A Global Economic Authority
- Early Years and Education
- Government and Policy Career
- Think Tank and Policy Research
- Prolific Author and Policy Advocate
- International Economic Diplomacy
- Honors and Recognition
Fred Bergsten: A Global Economic Authority
C. Fred Bergsten, a prominent American economist, author, and political advisor, has made significant contributions to the field of international economic policy.
Early Years and Education
Born in 1941 in Pepin, Wisconsin, Bergsten displayed exceptional academic abilities from a young age. He graduated magna cum laude from Central Methodist University, where he excelled in debate and academics. He then pursued advanced degrees at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, earning an MA, an LLD, and a D.Phil.
Government and Policy Career
Bergsten's early career focused on international relations. From 1967 to 1968, he served at the Council on Foreign Relations. He then joined the National Security Council as an assistant for international economic affairs under Henry Kissinger. From 1977 to 1981, Bergsten held the position of Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs under President Carter. He later served as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury from 1980 to 1981, representing the United States at the G5 Finance Ministers' meetings and contributing to G7 summit preparations.
Think Tank and Policy Research
In 1981, Bergsten joined the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Later that year, he co-founded the Washington, D.C.-based think tank, the Institute for International Economics (IIE), which has been consistently recognized as one of the world's leading institutions for economic policy research. Bergsten served as IIE's director from 2012 to 2013 and is currently its director emeritus and a senior fellow.
Prolific Author and Policy Advocate
Bergsten has authored or co-authored over 40 books on various economic topics. His notable works include "The International Economic Position of the United States" and "China's Rise: Challenges and Opportunities." In 1991, he became chair of the Competitiveness Policy Council, established by Congress. Under his leadership, the council issued reports on U.S. competitiveness to inform the president and Congress.
International Economic Diplomacy
Bergsten's contributions extend beyond the United States. From 1992 to 1995, he chaired the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Eminent Persons Group. His recommendations for achieving free and open trade and investment contributed to the establishment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In 2001, he co-founded the Center for Global Development with Edward W. Scott Jr. and Nancy Birdsall.
Honors and Recognition
Bergsten's distinguished career has been widely recognized. He serves on the President's Advisory Council on Trade Policy and Negotiation and the advisory board of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. His life and work have been the subject of a book, "C. Fred Bergsten and the World Economy," published by the Peterson Institute for International Economics in 2007.
