[Last Dakotan]

Most all of our trade deficit is with countries we have no free trade pact with.

We are the free traders in a (mostly) managed trade world.

[1rudeboy]

We’ve signed FTA’s with what, twenty countries? We mostly manage our trade as well.

[apoxonu]

"Most all of our trade deficit is with countries we have no free trade pact with."

Correct, but only because we've traded trade deficits for employment and manufacturing deficits. By allowing our manufacturing base to move to Mexico and other "free trade" countries, we now have less to export, lower-paying jobs relative to inflation, and fewer jobs to boot. Hurray for us!

Think China or Russia or India would ever sign a "free" trade agreement with us? Not very likely. A strong nation is one that actually grows, raises mines and makes products. That is real GDP, not fake numbers on a ledger.