Um, Jay; human beings are better off when they trade with one another. Trade does not prove to be something that should be viewed through the lens of weakness. Trade is what people do in order to unlock value through comparative advantage. But, by all means, Jay, try growing your own food, making your own garments (a pretty little dress perhaps), getting your own power, etcetera, and see just how much time you have left in the day to write post in an Internet forum with your nonexistent ISP.
Trade is a tool, Joe, not a religion...
There's smart trading...and then there's foolish trading.
Why don't we ask the French if they feel they got a good deal on the Louisiana Purchase? Their government was just engaging in 'Free Trade'.
I'd say we pretty well smoked Russia on the Alaska deal. Our position in the world was gained in large part by smart decisions like these.
And they all have restrictions on foreign investment.
Those poor "dummies", running trade surpluses against us - when according to you trade deficits are so good.
BTW, China is a *Communist* country. A USA business (run for profit) in the long-term cannot compete against a business that doesn't care about profits.