The impact of international trade on employment and job loss in the Unites States was analyzed. Evidence from earlier studies was reviewed, and the following topics were examined: changes in the U.S. manufacturing industry in 1975-1995; labor market responses to changes in trade and import competition; methods of measuring the link between changes in industry employment and changes in trade flows; and job displacement and foreign competition. Overall, the data on industry employment proved consistent with arguments that increasing imports reduce employment and increasing exports (and domestic demand) enhance employment. However, the argument that import restrictions can be used to protect jobs was shown to be flawed. The analysis demonstrated that reducing import share will not boost employment or reduce job displacement by much and that consumers will bear the cost through higher prices. The most direct way of protecting workers was said to be through domestic adjustment assistance policy--a policy approach that has long had considerable support in the domestic policies of freer trade. (Thirty-four tables/figures are included. Appendixes discuss the following topics: measures of trade volumes and import prices; use of the Current Population Survey to measure industry employment and job loss; and construction of the survey instruments. The bibliography lists 96 references.) (MN)