[rcocean]

It hurts some people and helps others.

If you don't have to work for a living or you have a well-to-do job that is immune from global competition -like say economic professors or lawyers - its a good thing since it lowers the cost of goods and services.

Otherwise, you're screwed.

For the country as a whole it transfers economic and therefore political power the USA to other countries and international bodies.

[mojojockey]

No matter if we say yes or no to free trade, there is a cost for both. We should decide which costs us less, and choose that one.