The one question that nobody ever seems to address is this: What would the U.S. economy look like today if all the things we currently import from overseas were made here?
If corporations focus doggedly on sourcing from overseas, but negelect developing those markets themselves, then we have a problem. The ultimate goal is balanced trade, which 90% of the 'free trade' people neglect. What they promote is not free trade anyway.
I think if we have anything really resembling free trade we should pursue it. The agreements of "sourcing from overseas only" with the intent of merely importing should be abandoned.
Importing from overseas should have the focus and restrictions on business that promote development of overseas markets.
Its not the idea of sourcing, but the idea developing...Right now though its a rush to the bottom of the barrel, which sucks economically. They can cut costs like that but they are going to have a hell of a hard time adding $$$ to the top line like that. I want TOP LINE growth.
In relation, us to them, it is an unhealthy arrangement.
Why not import from Mexico, or the Phillippines, or anywhere else? Why is everyone hellbent on China? There are many more places to import from that will give us access to their markets and have a MUCH greater potential to become developed and to become consumers rather than merely suppliers.