I recall learning about the free trade matters in high school history in the context of causes of the Great Depression. Tariffs shut off some of the needed world growth and also high taxes were another factor. I suppose these things are still taught but we have more push back now from special interest protectionists and I hate to get personal but journalists like Lou Dobbs who are respected yet seem to be leading people astray on this. Also, Americans are big on talking the talk but when it comes down to money they buy from wherever is cheapest. Imagine what the auto of today would be like without world competition-- probably we'd pay a lot more for lower quality. In the end though, there always seems to be a desire to blame things on foreigners, immigrants, foreign countries and other bogeymonsters that is more deeply rooted than any protectionist economic argument.

I don't think most americans are well-versed in economics, but i don't think their opinions are not rational either.

read your statement for yourself: "voluntary trade creates wealth"

that doesn't seem to specify *where* it creates wealth, nor *for whom* it creates wealth.

Call them shallow or protectionist, but most people would like to hold on to their job and their standard of living, even at the expense of others' standard of living. This is especially true when crossing borders, or when the only ones receiving the created wealth are the few at the top.

These are not points that the dismal science answers well, and are ones that economists always seem to sidestep. Even Fed chiefs sidestep them or give wishy-washy BS answers that are borderline classist and racist, and ignorant.

Let's see the common argument: "Well, we can export manufacturing, but we can't export Mgmt, C-level positions, or sales, because Americans have advantages in those areas. "

yeah right.

The blue globe's ice caps may be melting but the global economy is not; it is expanding competitively between countries. Imagine, if protectionism were to prevail at the local level would products be marketed successfully across county boundaries? Such provincial thought breeds parochial ignorance. People who read the publications issued from various viewpoints of the economic spectrum have a better basis for a balanced outlook; they are less ignorant of the issues and so are less influenced by the persuasive arguments of a few. Imagine how long one could exist purchasing goods produced only in one's county! This said, we all know that price of the product tends to override quality of the product, especially among the consumer masses. Therefore, the issues inherent in trade such as jobs (and working conditions) and fair tariffs continuously needs to be studied.

According to those "in the know" we just don't get that foreign trade policies are good for us and I guess they're right because after close examination this is what I've seen thus far.
1. Downsizing and job loss due to foreign trade.
2. Good paying jobs replaced by low wage ones.
3. Jobs with good benefits replaced by those with little or none.
4. Massive recalls due to dangerous products.
5. Massive importing with little oversight or inspection.
6. Disregard to decent safety and regulatory standards as applies to the products.
7. Disregard to decent safety and regulatory standards as applies to consumers and workers.
8. Unlevel playing field with massive imports when compared to exports which many are starting to say is helping to lower not only our standard of living in US but also our value of the dollar.
9. Foreigners with lots of money shopping in USA for stocks, businesses and computers which if not careful could leave US vulnerable to attack or espionage.
Yeah you're right. We just don't get it!

Free trade is creating "corporate wealth". If you are invested in the "market" Free Trade is good for you. If you are part of the U.S. labor force, then Free Trade is probably strangling you. Jobs are fleeing overseas, labor wages are taking a pounding, and the only place you can afford to shop is Wallmart. And Wallmart only sells cheap stuff made overseas. It is a vicious cycle, and it is destroying the Middle Class in the United States of America. There needs to be a change or there will be millions of disenfranchised U.S. Citizens screaming for heads to roll.

Economics has a word for why free trade by itself unregulated doesn't necessarily better society as a whole. They're called externalities. I think people see this far then you do based on evidence in their own lives. It seems many people want to argue only that free trade benefits both parties, however they tend to ignore the negative effects on those who aren't involved in the trade.

Free trade in a thought experiment may work to everyone's advantage but in the real world our economic adversaries cheat. It will take many years for the playing field to become equal. During that time societies that use child and prison labor, peddle goods laden with toxic materials, poison the environment, and place ridiculously unfair restrictions on US products will have the economic edge.

Free trade is a great concept. If China, India, Mexico, and other cheaters played by the rules it might actually work.

When Polynesians arrived at easter island its covered with cocunut trees and millions of birds flew there as a sanctuary. The Easter islanders would nock down the trees to build their statues. The island is bare now except for the statues. The last easter islanders were eating each other when the Dutch arrive if I remember correctly. They didn't notice, a tree here, a tree there...and soon their paradise was a barren hell.
A job here, a job there....