[PugetSoundSoldier]

I could argue that the merchandise goods trade deficit was higher when Reagan left office than when he entered, also. No one is stupid enough to argue that Reagan was a failure for that reason (though you'd think a protectionist might try).

Only protectionists think merchandise goods trade deficits matter! None of them stop and think that they PERSONALLY run such deficits with dozens of people - the grocer, the gas supplier, the butcher, the shoe salesman, etcc.

Merchandise goods trade deficits are irrelevant; budget deficits are the ones that matter! If only we could keep that basic fact front and center with the protectionist crowd...

[investigateworld]

Only protectionists think merchandise goods trade deficits matter! None of them stop and think that they PERSONALLY run such deficits with dozens of people - the grocer, the gas supplier, the butcher, the shoe salesman, etcc.

Kind of basic, but at the end of the month or some other financial reporting period, you'd better not have a deficit of income vs. out go.

Otherwise, you would have to borrow at market rates to finance that lifestyle.

Oh how much do we owe the Chicoms/Japan?

I know the free trade crowd is bad at math, but it can be found on Google.

There is no free lunch!