A new survey released this weekend by Financial Times/Harris Poll finds that large majorities of people in the United States and Europe are about three times more likely to say globalization is having a negative rather than a positive impact on their countries. They want higher taxation for the rich, pay caps for corporate executives, and government to more actively manage their economies. And they want these things despite the strongest global economy in years!

The fact that globalization—however one defines it—is unpopular is nothing new. A dynamic, rapidly changing, globally integrated economy—where some jobs disappear even as many thousands more are created—causes anxiety, even among those who say their financial condition is good.

What is the best antidote to fears about globalization? Facts. Here are a few:

• International trade is now equivalent to 27% of our entire $12 trillion economy.
• Our exports to the world support at least 12 million American jobs, jobs that generally pay 18% more than other jobs.
• International investors create 5.1 million jobs in our country, with salaries that are on average 15% higher.
   

Members of the business community need to play a more active role in touting the benefits of global engagement. Those benefits include more jobs, lower prices, and higher output. The Chamber's TradeRoots program is the only sustained, national trade education program dedicated to raising grassroots support and public awareness about the importance of international trade to local communities. Learn more here.

At the same time, we need to support programs that help retrain and reemploy workers adversely impacted by globalization. In the long run, the best thing we can do is improve our education system to ensure our workers have the skills they need to excel in the 21^st century.

An integrated worldwide economy is an enormous opportunity for the United States because it plays to our strengths—entrepreneurism, adaptability, and creativity. But that opportunity will be squandered if we allow fears to triumph over facts.

What do you think of the new worldwide economy? Share your thoughts below.