My views on trade policy/agreements

Posted on: October 17, 2018 at 12:45:36 CT

To help clarify a few comments

First of all, I think the ultimate trade policy would be complete free trade..no different than when a product moves from state to state. Also, ideally, it would be free both ways, and any intellectual property would be treated the same.

The likelihood of this occurring is rather low...so in that absence, anything that moves us closer (especially if significantly closer) would be acceptable to me. I think all parts of the new agreement should be closer, not where some parts get closer, and some do not.

I am completely against employing various trade barriers (i.e. tariff war) as a tactic to move towards free trade. I think it is a horrible tactic as it creates mis-trust between the parties negotiating. Additionally, hundreds of trade agreements have been made without a pre-agreement escalation.

I think history has well shown that overall reductions have substantially occurred over the last 50 year, and I think the trend will continue.

The USA has shown in can be very competitive in some industries (and companies) that we should not be afraid of free trade agreements....see agriculture, aeronautics, and large scale manufacturing (CAT), and in many cases auto manufacturing/design knowledge, and technology. In fact, our trade wars lately have specifically hurt these industries and companies as a result.

Now for Trump:

- I agree with his philosophy on free trade, but I have no idea exactly what he means by fair trade
- I disagree with his use of tactics around tariffs and protectionism
- I disagree with parts of the new US/Can/Mex agreement, but I am not sure of the whole agreement, as I am sure there are some good sides as well
- I welcome his discussions with China (or any country) on convincing them to reduce their tariffs and barriers
- I think he should sign TPP as it fits the goals above...although I understand he prefers unilateral agreements....if he can move forward quickly with those and they cover what TTP does and better, I would be fully supportive