Posted on 04/18/2016 2:19:34 PM PDT by Lorianne
The Tata Steel sale has revived the battle between protectionists and free traders, a debate that became particularly acute in the run-up to the creation of the World Trade Organisation in 1995, which marked the success of “free traders” all around the world.
In the protectionist camp, there is now a wide range of political parties from the extreme left to the extreme right: from Syriza to Ukip, from the Front National to Podemos. The common element for all these parties is that they dream of returning to a time when “we were in control”; when we could easily open or close our borders; when the world was manageable and small and we did not have to compromise. That is why they want national rules rather than international ones; and that is also why ultimately most of them despise the EU, because it is based not on direct control but on compromise.
The problem with that notion is that such a cosy world does not exist any more. The new generations expect to talk, travel and trade with each other all over the world, no matter where they are. My children, for example, know more about startup products released for crowdfunding around the world than about what is sold in shops in our high street;
Fluidity, speed, seamlessness and complexity define the 21st century. Fighting those trends makes sense only if you are of such an age and means that you can afford the luxury of whingeing about the present and dreaming nostalgically about the past, but if you are still trying to make your way in life, you have to embrace change and adapt.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
What did I say about immigrants? I don’t support unlimited immigration. I would cut it way down from where it is. Immigrants don’t have the right to come here as they please.
What I oppose is restrictions on the freedom of Americans to do business overseas and any taxes on American consumers buying overseas goods. Our government shouldn’t have the right to dictate and penalize what business transactions Americans do throughout the world.
Who cares about “income equality?” That’s a liberal cause. All income inequality means is some people are being rewarded for doing good work in the economy and others are performing poorly and don’t deserve to be paid any more than they’re getting.
I don’t care what the results of free trade are. It’s a basic freedom. I don’t believe in limiting peoples’ freedoms or taxing them just to artificially engineer a better outcome for some other specific group of people. That’s the liberal way.
If we got rid of the government today, which should be the starting point of any policy discussion, I would be able to import and export any goods I saw fit without any penalty. The idea that we would create a government to take away that basic freedom to trade is disgusting. The idea that some intellectual elite in an ivory tower thinks he can run things better than free people engaging in a free economy is ludicrous.
But I am sure you expect American businesses to be protected by our government for abuses by other countries of existing trade agreements and to negotiate fair trade agreements. We are a party to GATT and the WTO. Do you understand the functions of those international organizations?
Do you understand that foreign countries put restrictions on American businesses and place tariffs on their goods and services? What should American businesses do about that?
What did I say about immigrants? I don’t support unlimited immigration. I would cut it way down from where it is. Immigrants don’t have the right to come here as they please.
Do you support the free movement of labor. Should it be up to businesses to decide how many foreign workers they wish to import? Should there be any limits at all. We bring in 640,000 guest workers a year now. The Gang of 8 bill would have doubled the number to 1.4 million.
Spoken like a true libertarian who lives in a fantasy world. So I guess every business in the world would have the same ability to ship their goods to us without limit. You would allow this even if other governments are subsidizing these businesses so they can dump their goods here putting American businesses out of business because they can't compete.
I suggest you get our of your ivory tower and become acquainted with the real world and how international trade works.
LOL. Revolutions have been based on less. You seem to discount the social and political impact of severe income inequality. Let them eat cake!
I don’t care what the results of free trade are. It’s a basic freedom. I don’t believe in limiting peoples’ freedoms or taxing them just to artificially engineer a better outcome for some other specific group of people. That’s the liberal way.
Give me one country in the world where this is the case, i.e., unrestricted free trade.
Sure, but strategic trade policies are part of “adapting” and living, aren’t they?
The U.S. Would still be a Mfg powerhouse if it weren’t for taxes and regulation.
Bullseye!
You can’t be more right.
I’m all for free trade. What we have is stupid trade.
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