[jb6]

Protectionism works: example is Reagan's quotas on auto makers, the one industry not outsourced. Russia is a good example too: 25% tarrif on auto imports, in the last 4 years 5 manufacturing plants openned up and Toyota is about to make 6. All for the Russian market only.

[Tulane]

If you think protectionism works in over the long haul, take a look at Japan's lost decade.

[ml1954]

I think protectionism may work in the short term, but not in the long term. While many auto's are assembled in the US, almost all of the components are manufactured offshore and imported. This is just a finger in the dike. There is simply no way and American worker can compete against a worker in India or China that is making 1/10 of what an American would be paid. I've worked with these people when they were here under the H1-B program. I've talked to them. They used to be able to come here and in 5-10 years make enough to go back home and live the rest of their lives in comfort. Now that's ended with them because the work can be done in India or China. How we compete with that?

[FreedomCalls]

We have had a large number of auto manufacturing plants open in the last few years and many more will open in the near future. For instance, Toyota will open a new assembly plant for Toyota Tundra trucks in San Antonio in 2005.