To movement across borders? No! - but again, we have self inflicted many wounds onto our own work force, with unrealistic expectations for low end labor, government hand outs ,etc……and reducing our liberalism at home would largely solve this problem.
But as for the US trade policy? No, it cannot address those other problems you mentioned, not without clumsy central planning that picks rife with unintended and bad consequences to our own people, including the stunting of technology.
For example, we should not blame Apple or China for the fact that almost all of Apple’s products are made in China. Why? Because it’s American liberalism that caused it….not Apples’ greed. As for the conditions in China that make it attractive? Sorry, not something our elected officials can change. We just can’t.
Your allegiances are clear.
Why is labor any different than goods and services? Doesn't a proponent of "free trade" also support the free movement of labor?
But as for the US trade policy? No, it cannot address those other problems you mentioned, not without clumsy central planning that picks rife with unintended and bad consequences to our own people, including the stunting of technology.
So you would not condition our trade with a country that uses slave/prison labor or children to produce exports to this country? Do you support trade sanctions on countries to influence their political behavior? Should US trade policy be "neutral" in terms of how it is used, i.e., kept separate from political, cultural, moral, environmental and other interests?
For example, we should not blame Apple or China for the fact that almost all of Apple’s products are made in China. Why? Because it’s American liberalism that caused it….not Apples’ greed. As for the conditions in China that make it attractive? Sorry, not something our elected officials can change. We just can’t.
There is no doubt that China can provide a more welcoming business environment free from such restrictions as the use of child labor, OSHA standards, environmental regulations, taxes, government subsidies, etc. How far should the US go towards replicating such an environment in the interest of businesses?
I have a real problem with the crony capitalism that has developed in this country. Government (federal, state, and local) controls over 40% of our GDP. Government decides who will be the winners and losers thru the allocation of funds, laws, regulations, etc. and corporations return the favor thru political contributions and support of the regime in charge. Right now, business is placing immense pressure on the political class to support an amnesty, an almost tripling of our permanent legal immigration over the next 10 years and a doubling of our guest worker programs. All at a time when over 20 million American are unemployed or underemployed.
Eisenhower spoke about how the the military-industrial complex posed a threat to this country. I would expand that to the corporate elite who increasingly have less and less allegiance to this country. They can go anywhere on the globe to conduct their operations and are increasingly doing so. The question is who is looking out for the welfare of the Republic and the American people?