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[fast4522]

Originally Posted by classhandicapper

I think we are at a disadvantage in trade because:

1. We choose to regulate our environment and businesses for health, safety, criminal, and other reasons more than some other countries. We gain in ways other than trade. There's balancing act and trade-off, much of which makes sense for us, but some of which is probably overdone.

2. We have crony capitalism, but not to the same extent that China and other countries have where their businesses are subsidized to win market share.

3. Our markets are generally wide open and theirs are often closed or impossible to gain an traction in because of politics and corruption.

4. Other countries steal our intellectual property.

5. Other countries impose more trade restrictions and tariffs even when the market is open.

6. We have higher standards of living. Very poor people in 3rd world countries with a massive supply of excess labor are often willing to work for less salary and benefits even when their productivity warrants higher wages and benefits.

7. We manipulate our currency, but not to the same extent at some other countries

Some of those things can and should be addressed and some of them we can't or shouldn't try to do much about.

It's not about bringing all the jobs back. It's about leveling the playing field so we are competing on more reasonable terms. Any jobs that return to us (and some already have) because we are manufacturing more in the US is net plus and any that don't leave means we've slowed the hemorrhage. Both are great news.

Super post.