Rational Nation USA

Rational Nation U S A Purveyor of Truth As America faces tough economic times and perceives the benefits of trade as being realized only by only the wealthiest of Americans and corporations the following article by David Frum in The Atlantic provides an interesting perspective on free trade in general an the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) specifically. Regardless of your trade stance the article warrants attention. The natural tendency of democratic societies is gradually to accumulate barriers to international trade. The Bush administration itself exemplified this: At the same time as it pleaded for fast-trade authority, it imposed restrictions on foreign steel. Relentless international action on trade liberalization offsets equally relentless domestic pressure for trade protection. Freer trade is always a tough vote. As long ago as the 1960s, Barry Goldwater tried to make a campaign issue out of John F. Kennedy’s allegedly excessive trade liberalization. Yet from the 1940s...

This Cato video discuses free global trade, NAFTA, and the perceived benefits and drawbacks of free trade. I find the discussion interesting however it raises perhaps as many questions as it may answer. It is nevertheless interesting for those who are interested in and concerned with U.S. trade policy. "Protectionism is rising. The stakes for prosperity couldn't be higher. On C-SPAN's Washington Journal, Daniel Griswold discussed the virtues of free trade. Griswold is author of Mad About Trade and serves as director of the Cato Institute's Center for Trade Policy Studies."