What we have on trade right now is a hodge podge of half thought out garbage riddled with special interests. Its more full of loopholes than the tax code.
Under my above mentioned plan it truly will step on some toes. Some companies will truly be taxed out of doing business with some countries. They will not at all like it and will scream 'protectionist' to everyone involved.
In the end we will funnel our money into those countries that funnell their money to us. Everyone has a fair shake.
Its truly working smarter not just harder.
Pretty much anyone can get an FTA under the system, but they have to abide by it, and we mean business.
We could wind up with 50 FTA agreements...or more... it just depends on how far the others want to go to be a part of it.
Your suggestions are logical and well thought out. I didnt mean to imply that you are a libertarian...my comment was posted to the 'peanut gallery' I guess.
The fly in the ointment may be the number of trade agreements and 'negotiations' that are going to happen...lots of political special interest turmoil.
Are our folks in DC up to the challenge of implementing your system?
With my approach, all the negotiations go away, everyone is treated the same. American business competitiveness and interests are protected. Whats wrong with protecting American interests and American wealth and prosperity anyway...besides the fact that this is "protectionist"?
Of course, in and of itself, the uniformity doesn't necessarily make my approach better...we could all end up being hurt the same...but I don't think so.
But we need some reasoned debate here.