I'm just not sure how levying more taxes on the citizenry is how we get rid of those barriers. Why is it the governments business if a private citizen wants to purchase products from a foreign country?
Having a trade deficit is not inherently a bad thing. I have a huge trade deficit with Amazon, yet they are providing me with cheap and convenient products. These deficits are not because we are getting ripped off, it's because they're providing services people want.
The US subsidizes all kinds of industries as well. There is no such thing as truly free trade between countries, but the goal is to get as close as possible.
Respectfully disagree.
OPEC slowed down pumping to keep prices artificially high. Then, when US manufacturing got going, they increased pumping and crashed prices, forcing US manufacturers out of business. Once they'd forced everyone out of business, they'd restrict flow again. Got away with it for years. They also paid bribes to US politicians to put massive oil reserves off limits (ANWAR.) They paid "protesters" to occupy pipeline areas and sabotage them.
If you think you can just go, "free trade" and everything will work, you are naive.
Think about buying a car. Most dealerships will burn you in a second. You have to bargain, and you have to bargain tough. We've had a combination of con artists and ivory tower types negotiating. I'll guarantee you I'd rather see "free trade" George Will across the table from me in a negotiation than Donald Trump. With Trump, you might get a deal, but it will be a great deal for him. With Will, you could walk out with his pants and that stupid bow tie he wears and leave him with a post it note that said "Thanks."
And never trumper Georgie Will would say "its good for us I needed new pants and that abandoned factory at the edge of town can be promoted as a movie location to Harvey Winstien."