I am a free trader. I mean to me its about liberty. The ability to trade with whom we want and with what we please.
With that said, free trade deals, often are not free. Our trade relationship with China needs to change. As it is our products must meet stringent controls and minimum requirements that Chinese products do not. That is not free trade. The Chinese government conspires with Chinese companies to steal our know how and product intelligence which is not free trade. The Chinese violate patents with very little consequence. The Chinese use prison labor for cripes sakes! And I agree with you that minimum wages put us at a disadvantage.
The argument about free trade itself, while interesting, is almost moot, because the trade relationship we have with one of our biggest relationship (China) is not even close to fair and free.
The Chinese NEED us to buy their crap, so what could they do if we change that relationship. We start putting out minimum quality requirements for their imports, and erect tariffs to offset their violations.
I agree with you.
Did you know?
1.Import duty for most South American countries is 30% for us,0% for them.
2.Import duty for India 30% for us 0% for them.
3.China does not really permit imports. You must get a Chinese partner and produce there. Any equipment you need for production or raw materials must be purchased there.
They then get rights to you IP.
So where is the free trade?