Here’s one example of why we need a Patton as a trade representative:
Head Ski company wanted to sell skis in Japan. Their application was denied. The Japanese government said that Japanese snow was different than American snow.
Obviously bullsh*t, but the US government trade representatives did nothing.
We are losing the trade wars for many reasons. This type of timidity is just one of them.
“Obviously bullsh*t, but the US government trade representatives did nothing.”
Fine. They shouldn’t bother. Japan was only hurting themselves, ultimately. And that particular company in that particular instance. But, hey, can’t win them all. Patton or no Patton, we can’t treat global trade like it’s interstate trade. As evidence I offer the utter failure thus far in human history of international trade regulation.