WSJ 9.15 A Protectionist President

Often an article appears in the Journal that makes one question the author’s basic assumption. In the piece, "A Protectionist President”, the writer's basic premise is one that glorifies the U.S. past role in opening countries and international trade markets to everyone. The observation is made that even though our nation has lost some jobs it has created and gained new ones. Please tell that to the farmers in West Fresno, California where unemployment is in excess of 40%, or remind the textile, auto, heavy machinery, electronics, appliance, workers that this economy has benefited from (unfair) trade practices and anything but a level playing field.

I may have my genuine disagreements with the Obama administration, but on this issue I am supportive of their efforts to bring some trade scrutiny to China. This article states that "the reality is that without the U.S. leading by example, the world trading order is likely to deteriorate into every country for itself." If the author means that leading by example simply signifies caving into to China on every trade matter, then that type of leadership needs to be replaced.

The nation needs leadership that will curtail Chinese dumping of cheap and often unsafe products on the U.S. market costing jobs and the nation's future growth. The writer reminds us that "reviving trade flows is crucial to restoring global growth”. Frankly, I am not concerned about global growth; I am vitally preoccupied with restoring America's jobs and economic growth. I strongly agree with Paul Krugman on the need for a Carbon tariff on countries like China. Since these countries will never support carbon emission reduction anyway, I have been against this bill. Yet, if the bill passes let's allow China to be the first beneficiary of tariffs on their smoke filled factory products.

I agree completely with Clyde Prestowitz, who wrote in last week's financial Times that "imposing tariffs on China would strike a blow for free trade”. Trade wars may not produce the body count of armed conflicts but they represent a serious type of economic devastation to American workers. We continue to create jobs in China for their citizens, while ignoring our own. This magnificent obsession with coddling Chinese trade demands and inequities must cease.China’s human rights abuses to children and the elderly in working them slavishly up to sixteen hours a day is despicable. We must hold China accountable, on these trade issues most Americans will agree.