Um...
Our nation used protective tariffs for the first 200 years. You know, the first 200 most productive, most amazing, most spectacular years. When we built a middle-class the envy of the entire world. When we built a nation more prosperous and strong than any in history.
And, until recently, the Republican Party adhered to protectionist trade policies. Here are some excerpts, the links follow:
1892 Republican Party Platform excerpt:
We reaffirm the American doctrine of protection. We call attention to its growth abroad. We maintain that the prosperous condition of our country is largely due to the wise revenue legislation of the Republican congress.
We believe that all articles which cannot be produced in the United States, except luxuries, should be admitted free of duty, and that on all imports coming into competition with the products of American labor, there should be levied duties equal to the difference between wages abroad and at home. We assert that the prices of manufactured articles of general consumption have been reduced under the operations of the tariff act of 1890.
We denounce the efforts of the Democratic majority of the House of Representatives to destroy our tariff laws by piecemeal, as manifested by their attacks upon wool, lead and lead ores, the chief products of a number of States, and we ask the people for their judgment thereon.
We point to the success of the Republican policy of reciprocity, under which our export trade has vastly increased and new and enlarged markets have been opened for the products of our farms and workshops. We remind the people of the bitter opposition of the Democratic party to this practical business measure, and claim that, executed by a Republican administration, our present laws will eventually give us control of the trade of the world.
1904 Republican Party Platform excerpt:
Protection, which guards and develops our industries, is a cardinal policy of the Republican party. The measure of protection should always at least equal the difference in the cost of production at home and abroad. We insist upon the maintenance of the principle of protection, and therefore rates of duty should be readjusted only when conditions have so changed that the public interest demands their alteration, but this work cannot safely be committed to any other hands than those of the Republican party. To intrust it to the Democratic party is to invite disaster. Whether, as in 1892, the Democratic party declares the protective tariff unconstitutional, or whether it demands tariff reform or tariff revision, its real object is always the destruction of the protective system. However specious the name, the purpose is ever the same. A Democratic tariff has always been followed by business adversity: a Republican tariff by business prosperity. To a Republican Congress and a Republican President this great question can be safely intrusted. When the only free trade country among the great nations agitates a return to protection, the chief protective country should not falter in maintaining it.
1964 Republican Party Platform excerpt:
4. We hold that trade with Communist countries should not be directed toward the enhancement of their power and influence but could only be justified if it would serve to diminish their power.
5. We are opposed to the recognition of Red China. We oppose its admission into the United Nations. We steadfastly support free China.
1968 Republican Party Platform excerpt:
maintain a favorable balance of trade and balance of payments
...
It remains the policy of the Republican Party to work toward freer trade among all nations of the free world. But artificial obstacles to such trade are a serious concern. We promise hard-headed bargaining to lower the non-tariff barriers against American exports and to develop a code of fair competition, including international fair labor standards, between the United States and comparable principal trading partners.
A sudden influx of imports can endanger many industries. These problems, differing in each industry, must be considered case by case. Our guideline will be fairness for both producers and workers, without foreclosing imports.
Thousands of jobs have been lost to foreign producers because of discriminatory and unfair trade practices.
The State Department must give closest attention to the development of agreements with exporting nations to bring about fair competition. Imports should not be permitted to capture excessive portions of the American market but should, through international agreements, be able to participate in the growth of consumption.
Should such efforts fail, specific countermeasures will have to be applied until fair competition is re-established. Tax reforms will also be required to preserve the competitiveness of American goods.
The basis for determining the value of imports and exports must be modified to reflect true dollar value.
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/site/docs/doc_platforms.php?platindex=R1892 http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/site/docs/doc_platforms.php?platindex=R1904 http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/site/docs/doc_platforms.php?platindex=R1964 http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/site/docs/doc_platforms.php?platindex=R1968Um. Our nation had slavery too. Didn't mean it was right, just, moral, or even good economics. And the GOP was wrong on this. Thank God they got some sense.