Many opponents of free trade use the following example toillustrate its negative effects: Joe Smith started the day earlyhaving set his alarm clock (MADE IN JAPAN) for 6AM. While hiscoffeepot (MADE IN CHINA) was perking, he shaved with his electricrazor (MADE IN HONG KONG). He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRILANKA), designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE) and tennis shoes (MADEIN KOREA). After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet(MADE IN INDIA) he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO) tosee how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (MADE INTAIWAN) to the radio (MADE IN INDIA) he got in his car (MADE INGERMANY) filled it with gas from SAUDI ARABIA and continued hissearch for a good paying AMERICAN JOB. At the end of yet anotherdiscouraging and fruitless day he checked email on his computer(MADE IN MALAYSIA) then decided to relax for a while. He put on hissandals (MADE IN BRAZIL) poured himself a glass of wine (MADE INFRANCE) and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA), and then wonderedWHY he can’t find a good-paying job in America.
Should America encourage free trade with its trading partners orseek a more protectionist approach? Take a stand on this issue. Itis not enough to argue BOTH sides of the issue. Support youropinion with good economic reasoning. Who benefits from yourapproach and who loses? Why? Include impacts on both Americancitizens and the citizens of the other countries with whom we(U.S.) trade. If your home country is outside the U.S. indicate thepossible impact of your stand (favoring either free trade or tradeprotectionism) on your country. Some common search topics includeemployment, tariffs, quotas, and free trade agreements. In short,you think free is good for economy? is it bad? Or little both?
