[central_va]

Actually, we do not need to import anything, but we are richer and more comfortable if we do.

Nope not true AT ALL. "We" is not all, some are richer and some communities have been devistated by offshoring. An America First policy of protectionism would make all richer.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

Adam Smith makes the argument that Scotland could be self sufficient in wine by growing grapes in greenhouses, but France can grow grapes much more cheaply than Scotland. Scotland on the other hand, can grow oats as cheaply as anyone, so it would make sense for Scotland to trade oats for wine, and establish trade between Scotland and France. Scottish greenhouse owners and French oat farmers might feel injured, but on the whole most French and Scottish people would benefit.

Frédéric Bastiat's Candle Maker's Petition shows the absurdity of extreme protectionism.

Protectionism makes sense for national defense, and to prevent foreign cartels from manipulating our economy. Our national government should remove barriers to production and employment, most of which are artificial and harmful, and largely instituted at the urging of politically powerful minorities, like the teachers' unions or UAW. Reagan and Trump both created economic booms by getting the Federal Government the hell out of the way. Almost all the job growth in America in the past decade has been in only two states, Texas and Florida. Make America more like Texas.