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Comment by mochomocha

17 days ago

What is so bad about free trade?

Isn't competition in free markets something Republicans believe in anymore? Because forcing Americans to buy inferior locally-made products at a premium through artificial restrictions surely isn't that.

Free trade and globalization are also a pacifying force, by creating mutual dependencies between countries.

Protectionism doesn't work.

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  • Breitbart is not a reputable source.

    • No but the point is valid. Say country A decides to protect its environment and hence imposes costly pollution control measures on its manufacturers. Country B meanwhile pollutes to the max. Country B's products are going to be cheaper than country A's. Therefore country A imposing a balancing tarrif on Country B (until they stop polluting) seems at least potentially reasonable.