[A. Pole]

And as proof you offer our $12 trillion economy, (twice the size of our nearest competitor) growing at 4% a year

4% of $12 trillion is $480 billion. Just the trade deficit is about $700 billion.

[Mase]

4% of $12 trillion is $480 billion. Just the trade deficit is about $700 billion.

Your math is correct. Now, since none of the other protectionists on this thread have been able to tell us why a trade deficit is bad (and prove it), maybe you can.