If by “started U.S. economic globalization” you mean who initiated the major policy shift that integrated the U.S. economy deeply into global trade, capital flows, and supply chains, there isn’t a single founder — it was a long process — but several key turning points and leaders stand out:
1. Franklin D. Roosevelt (1930s–1940s)
Why he matters:
-
After WWII, FDR’s administration created the institutions that formed the foundation of modern global trade and finance:
-
Bretton Woods system (1944)
-
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
-
World Bank
-
-
This encouraged global economic integration under U.S. leadership.
2. Harry Truman (late 1940s–1950s)
Why he matters:
-
Implemented the Marshall Plan, which rebuilt Europe and tied it economically to the U.S.
-
Launched the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1947 — the precursor to the WTO.
3. John F. Kennedy (1962)
Why he matters:
-
Passed the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which dramatically lowered tariffs and encouraged freer trade.
4. Richard Nixon (1971)
Why he matters:
-
Ended the Bretton Woods gold-exchange standard (“Nixon Shock”), creating the modern floating-currency global system.
-
Opened relations with China (1972), laying groundwork for later economic integration.
5. Ronald Reagan (1980s)
Why he matters:
-
Pushed for large-scale trade liberalization, deregulation, and global investment flows.
-
Negotiated early free trade frameworks.
6. George H. W. Bush & Bill Clinton (1990s)
Why they matter:
-
NAFTA (1994) under Clinton, negotiated under Bush — a major step toward globalization in North America.
-
World Trade Organization (1995) launched during Clinton’s term, accelerating global trade.
-
Clinton granted China PNTR (Permanent Normal Trade Relations) in 2000, enabling China’s rise as a manufacturing hub for U.S. supply chains.
Short Answer
There is no single founder, but the biggest “catalysts” of U.S. economic globalization were:
-
FDR & Truman – built the global economic order after WWII.
-
Nixon – opened relations with China and created modern currency markets.
-
Reagan – pushed major trade and capital-flow liberalization.
-
Clinton – globalized supply chains via NAFTA, WTO, and China PNTR.
