The concept of free trade is based on the idea that some nations are better suited to producing certain things than other nations. Nations with fertile land and low labor costs are best suited to agricultural products while nations with mountainous terrain and rich ore deposits are best suited to mining, for example. Free trade allows each nation to exploit its natural advantages and provide cheaper products to all the other nations than they could provide for themselves. Due to politics, America has, in many cases, forced other nations to allow our products in and still artificially supported American products making foreign products less competitive. Farm supports such as milk, produce and corn, for example, keep some American products cheaper than some foreign products. In addition, illegal aliens are allowed in to America to keep American produce cheap.
Deindustrialization is due to many complex factors. Lawsuits, taxes, labor laws, unions the EPA, OSHA, socialization using the workplace and ever increasing regulation are driving American companies to produce products where it is not only cheaper, but legalistically safer for the company. Chinese labor won’t strike or sue for sexual discrimination. No Chinese EPA inspector will shut down your entire plant on a whim. (Not if you’ve paid off the higher level authorities.)
Our government is the source of all America’s economic problems. Crony capitalism, laws favoring plaintiffs and excessively expensive regulation compliance are just the tips of many icebergs crowding the course companies must navigate. When or if we resolve these issues business will flood back to American shores. Until then, we can only try to survive.
There is good and bad in everything; the law of unintended consequences is in full play.
WIth “Americans” like you who needs enemies?