Yeah, the term is mercantilism. Adam Smith, with some help from David Riccardo, refuted it almost 300 years ago.
Taking your argument in its logical direction, let’s ban trade between the states. Then we’d really be rich!
Then I guess you’d agree home ownership doesn’t impact the economy at all. Very enlightening...
We are the world......
For now, let’s keep the article in perspective. The Dems caught a Compasionate Conservative President with his head in the sand and they seized the opportunity for some political points. What SHOULD occur is for conservatives to stop and ask “what did the mexican truckers plan have to do with conservatism?”. The answer is simply nothing. Lesson learned, when the Democrats are passing legislation you find yourself in agreement with, ask what the hell your President is doing wrong.
Smith and others may have refuted it in theory, but it seems like many nations today are still practicing it with great success even though they have signed many trade agreements to do away with it.
Paper for trade agreements is cheap. Currency for manipulation costs real money.