Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

'Fair Trade'? Free Trade Is Fair Trade
Investors.com ^ | 12/27/2010 | Walter Williams

Posted on 12/29/2010 6:13:39 PM PST by BfloGuy

Last summer, I purchased a 2010 LS 460 Lexus, through a U.S. intermediary, from a Japanese producer for $70,000.

Here's my question to you: Was that a fair trade?

I was free to keep my $70,000 or purchase the car. The Japanese producer was free to keep his Lexus or sell me the car.

As it turned out, I gave up my $70,000 and took possession of the car, and the Japanese producer gave up possession of the car and took possession of my money.

The exchange occurred because I saw myself as being better off and so did the Japanese producer.

I think it was both free and fair trade, and I'd like an American mercantilist to explain to me how it wasn't.

Mercantilists have absolutely no argument when we recognize that trade is mostly between individuals.

Mercantilists pretend that trade occurs between nations, such as the U.S. trading with England or Japan, to appeal to our jingoism.

(Excerpt) Read more at investors.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government
KEYWORDS: freetrade; protectionism
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-77 next last
The protectionazis see us buying stuff from foreign countries, see us losing jobs in the US and draw the false conclusion that free trading is bad.

They never bother, though, to look "behind the curtain" to understand that a half century of inflation brought on by the Fed has created the conditions that make foreign goods cheaper than our own. They can't be bothered to think for a minute that our government's deficit spending has created the market for the debt that foreigners snap up because the US has always been the haven for investment.

No. Instead, they want to punish their own countrymen by imposing taxes (tariffs) on foreign purchases further impoverishing Americans instead of doing the dirty work of insisting that the government clean up its act and stop debasing our money.

I don't get it.

1 posted on 12/29/2010 6:13:42 PM PST by BfloGuy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: BfloGuy

protectionazis = Americans


2 posted on 12/29/2010 6:19:33 PM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed, and I do not give a damn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BfloGuy
Mercantilists pretend that trade occurs between nations, such as the U.S. trading with England or Japan, to appeal to our jingoism.

Not jingoism; patriotism.

Some of us have a deeper notion of the nation state being more than just the security guard at the flea market.

3 posted on 12/29/2010 6:19:44 PM PST by triumphant values (Never criticize that to your right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BfloGuy

It’s unfair trade because I can’t buy a new Ford pickup.

I know it’s the fault of the Japanese that I can’t buy one because if there were no foreign products there would be fine Union folks giving their fellow Americans free pickup trucks and billing the government. So, it’s not fair to be fair when you could be taken care of instead.

(does this really need a “sarc”?)


4 posted on 12/29/2010 6:22:08 PM PST by Rashputin (Barry is totally insane and being kept medicated and on golf courses to hide the fact)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BfloGuy; Colvin
Colvin wrote:

I like free trade. It reduces the ability of my friends and family to make a living, and then they are more dependent on the government. This makes them more likely to vote for Democrats in the future. The other good thing is it has removed their self worth, and removed hope for the future from their children, helping them down the path of crime. And of course, there is that Free Trade sends billions to China, so they can build their future as the new world military power.

5 posted on 12/29/2010 6:22:42 PM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed, and I do not give a damn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BfloGuy
Mercantilists pretend that trade occurs between nations, such as the U.S. trading with England or Japan, to appeal to our jingoism.

What if the mercantilists are the Japanese, as they most assuredly are?

6 posted on 12/29/2010 6:26:08 PM PST by Last Dakotan (Hunting - the ultimate in organic grocery shopping.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BfloGuy
I don't get it.

The ChiComs don't get it either, why America is so stupid as to transfer entire technologies to them just to save penny's on the dollar. But guys like you, embolden them. Penny wise pound foolish, that is the free traders way.

7 posted on 12/29/2010 6:26:38 PM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed, and I do not give a damn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BfloGuy

Taxes, epa, unions, osha, americans with disabilities act, lawyers...foreign manufacturers don’t deal with these handicaps. Therefore it’s not fair to import foreign products. There’s nothing fair about it.


8 posted on 12/29/2010 6:30:34 PM PST by mamelukesabre (Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (If you want peace prepare for war))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: central_va

Yeah the anti free trade crowd rightly warned us back in the 1980s that the continued practice would lead to our total ownership by japan.

Had we listened to your well reasoned arguments we could have avoided our hapless servitude to the Japanese. Their imperial power now knows no rival. /sarc


9 posted on 12/29/2010 6:31:02 PM PST by lonestar67 (I remember when unemployment was 4.7 percent)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BfloGuy

btw, lexuses are made in america. So this isn’t a very good example.


10 posted on 12/29/2010 6:32:05 PM PST by mamelukesabre (Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum (If you want peace prepare for war))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rashputin
I know it’s the fault of the Japanese that I can’t buy one because if there were no foreign products there would be fine Union folks giving their fellow Americans free pickup trucks and billing the government.

The UAW looks like Henry Clay Frick compared to the Japanese Auto Workers and Industriegewerkschaft Metall in Germany.

11 posted on 12/29/2010 6:33:49 PM PST by triumphant values (Never criticize that to your right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BfloGuy

I know the point of the article,, but... $70,000!!!!!!! for a CAR!!!! you must be crazy.......the most I ever paid for transportation was $11,000 for a new F150 in 1995, of which I am still driving..........I bought it for the 300 cu in engine,,, solid cast iron, etc......last year made.....


12 posted on 12/29/2010 6:34:30 PM PST by MrPiper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lonestar67
Yeah the anti free trade crowd rightly warned us back in the 1980s that the continued practice would lead to our total ownership by japan.

Clearly, the Japan model is not being followed by China. The Chinese have learned.

I would like the entire federal budget be funded by tariffs and eliminate the income tax. Call me a dreamer.

13 posted on 12/29/2010 6:34:33 PM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed, and I do not give a damn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: BfloGuy

Push for 1,000% tariffs on everything foreign period. Nothing produced or grown in any foreign country. See how the American quality of life is then. Or, you could work to reduce America roadblock to competiveness. Your choice.


14 posted on 12/29/2010 6:36:58 PM PST by JimSEA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JimSEA
Push for 1,000% tariffs on everything foreign period.

At this point, we are headed for that kind of infation because Free Trade™ has ruined the dollar.

15 posted on 12/29/2010 6:39:31 PM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed, and I do not give a damn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: JimSEA
Push for 1,000% tariffs on everything foreign period. Nothing produced or grown in any foreign country

Agreed,, kill NAFTA!!!!!!!!!!!

16 posted on 12/29/2010 6:41:00 PM PST by MrPiper
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: central_va

Americans=Capitalists

Protectionazis/Mercantilist/National Socialist= Stupid European


17 posted on 12/29/2010 6:41:05 PM PST by Reaganez
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: mamelukesabre
btw, lexuses are made in america. So this isn’t a very good example.

No Lexus are manufactured in the US.

http://www.lexus.com/about/corporate/manufacturing.html

18 posted on 12/29/2010 6:42:24 PM PST by triumphant values (Never criticize that to your right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: central_va
I would like the entire federal budget be funded by tariffs and eliminate the income tax. Call me a dreamer.

I could agree to that with one stipulation - no increases in the existing tariffs.

19 posted on 12/29/2010 6:45:47 PM PST by Gunslingr3
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Reaganez
Don't worry you Free Trade Nazi's will continue to get your way until the dollar is totally worthless and America can't even produce so much as a paper clip anymore. I am heavily invested in Gold as a protection against the Benedict Arnold MBA's that run K -street. So sell your country out. NOBODY is going to stop the insanity.

It is only on Free Republic you get to hear form Americans who can see the emperor is naked.

20 posted on 12/29/2010 6:47:02 PM PST by central_va (I won't be reconstructed, and I do not give a damn.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-77 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson