David A. Walters is the chief economist at USTR responsible for economic analysis related to trade negotiations. His office assists USTR negotiators in analyzing the economic impact of pending trade agreements, and prepares numerous reports examining the benefits of trade and economic growth.

Mr. Walters has nearly two decades of experience as an economist specializing in trade issues. During that time the increasing number of trade agreements and growth of the global economy has created a greater demand for economic analysis. Mr. Walters prepares numerous reports that assist U.S. negotiators in assessing the impact of trade.

“I believe we’re building a system in which prosperity will grow. We’re doing something to benefit Americans directly through increased prosperity, and indirectly by helping to assure a more peaceful world,” he says.

Before joining USTR, Mr. Walters worked at the National Science Foundation in Washington, D.C. and the American Paper Institute in New York. Mr. Walters holds degrees from Brown University, the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, where he taught economics.

A native of Providence, R.I., Mr. Walters is a Vietnam-era Army veteran.