don't try to step in front of an economic train with new regulations that limit Americans' economic freedom. Protectionism always fails in the end.
Tell that to Alexander Hamilton.
I have always thought that a good experiment would be to write our trade laws using other countries laws. For instance Japan's trade laws would be translated into English and then handed over to them for prompt attention. Of course that won't happen because it may get them mad enough at us to not buy our debt!
Hamilton was a prime jackass, IMO.
You are mistaking Hamilton's views if you believe he would make the same economic program for a young, underdeveloped nation with no money supply as for the most developed and technilogical nation in the world.
He had to ideal to move toward free trade but could not in an era where foreign trade terms were almost completely determined by governmental needs.
Competitive, highly productive and creative nations have nothing to fear from free trade. Actually no country does rather the fear is of the unfree trade policies which often lead to general enmiseration.