The GOP--On The Right Side Of The Trade Issue

And That's Not Just A Pun

By Pejman Yousefzadeh Posted in Economy | Free Trade | Protectionism — Comments (9) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

In the event that people think the debate over free trade is smallball in this election cycle, let me note that in fact, the issue is attracting a whole lot of attention--and for all of the correct reasons; what we do in terms of formulating and implementing trade policy will have a tremendous impact on our economic growth, or lack thereof.

To that end, I want to direct reader attention to this and this, both of which show that trade policy is going to be a special focus of attention for the GOP come this fall. This is a good thing; Republicans are not backing down in the face of protectionist demagoguery. Quite the contrary, a pro-growth, pro-free market, pro-opportunity message is being spread that is in the best traditions of the Republican Party.

I don't feel like being reminded of Smoot-Hawley. I know that you don't either. And if we work hard enough in this upcoming election cycle, we won't be.

sorry, free trade is toast by kyle8

at least in the short run. Get ready for it.

"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle

Reply To This — User Info — #1

I agree in the short run its in trouble. by RandomGuy

But it's not the end of the world. Support for trade always goes in cycles. Things are good, people getting rich off it? They like it. It hurts in the short term due to a dip? They don't like it.

It doesn't help that we've had that shameless demegogue Lou Dobbs lying his a$$ off loudly the past few years.

"I will look for people in the cast of John Roberts, Samuel Alito, and my friend the late William Rehnquist – jurists of the highest caliber who know their own minds, and know the law, and know the difference." - John McCain

Reply To This — User Info — #2

I am not fully convinced, Peji by Marcus Traianus

In terms of hypocrisy and "blanket" positions oppossed to trade there is certainly political value. Beyond that. I am not certain trade fits into a sound-bite beyond free and open markets.

I know a little about countervailing trade duties and such. However, did you ever try to hold that conversation with the average voter? How about explaining to them why their kids Dole fruit bowl is made in China (let's make it more complex saying all companies are owned by the state) and a dissappearing manufacturing sector is "good" in the scheme of free trade and economic diversity?

I am a free trade advocate but overall beyond factually addressing the Democrats ridiculous statements this is probably not an issue we should spend too much time on or pedantically explain.

"Nec Aspera Terrent"
bene ambula et redambula
Contributor to The Minority Report

Reply To This — User Info — #3

It would require explanation by Aetius728

Explain to people that the U.S. manufacturing sector is not disappearing, it is growing rapidly, and explain that the reason for losing manufacturing jobs is great increases in productivity. And continue to stress that it opens up markets for U.S. goods as well.

Ignoring the issue is not wise, it is to great a club that is being used against us.

Reply To This — User Info — #4

correct, the best way by kyle8

to explain the advantages of free trade is to simply point out that we have had over twenty years of almost uninterrupted growth and prosperity because most of the world moved to free trade in the 1980's. Don't get into the minutia.

"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle

Reply To This — User Info — #5

It will be necessary to do some more explaining by Aetius728

A full length economics lesson is out of the question, but the notions that American workers cannot compete with lower paid foreign workers and that the U.S. manufacturing base is being hollowed out are very widespread, and need to be corrected.

Reply To This — User Info — #6

Just a hint of courage required by Risky

.......and keep hitting on the "tariffs are corporate welfare and a tax on US consumers" angle. The reason the debate has run against us is that conservatives have ducked the issue as too hard to run with.

Remember there always a lot of talk about China, what the hell has that got to do with blocking a deal with Columbia or beating up on the Canadians?

McCain has been giving us some straight taking on this one and it may well fall to his advantage when contrasted with Obama's pandering and double-talk. Obama's foreign policy adds up to "Threaten and bully our allies and neighbours, make nice with our (self-declared) enemies". I'm not sure it will be too hard to attack.

Reply To This — User Info — #7

Agreed by JakePrime

I think this is a winning issue, although certainly not the largest.

Reply To This — User Info — #9

Redstate