Arancha González: Do not sugar-coat the difficulties; show that you understand them and are ready to address them

As one of the keynote speakers at the Heckscher-Ohlin conference, Arancha González Laya brings deep experience from the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the European Union (EU). Read this intervew on the complex relationship between research and policymaking, and the role of trade scholars and institutions in bridging that gap.

Policymakers often face the difficult task of balancing research insights with political realities. With your experience at the UN, the WTO and the EU, what advice would you offer to those navigating this tension?

Engage, discuss, debate. Do not shy away. These are often complicated matters, so invest in making them accessible. Do not sugar-coat the difficulties, but show that you understand them and that you are also ready to address them. In the past, we have tended to only focus on the positive messages, leaving the public to discover the downside – thus appearing disconnected.

One of the main premises of this conference is that trade policy has become increasingly disconnected from the insights provided by international trade research. In your view, what can be done to help bridge that gap?

I would suggest ensuring a better connection between the micro and the macro dimensions of trade: the aggregate impacts, but also the sector, country, grouping specificities.

What are your expectations for the conference?

The conference needs to help keep the lights on the importance of an international rules-based order, on open markets, but also on disciplines – especially in new areas such as digital, sustainability, and the resilience of value chains.