[Paul Ross]

The blame for the decision not to use quotas or tariffs must fall on the Feds, not private companies that must deal with the existing economic and political environment.

True. But who is one of the largest and most-conspicuous of political donors and lobbyists for imports?

So it becomes a synergistic "snow-ball" effect, as the government becomes increasingly co-opted by the foreign interests.

[Wallace T.]

Much of the impetus for lowered trade barriers came from American manufacturers trying to reduce labor costs by having work done at lower costs. We all know about the contributions of Chinese business interests to the Clinton reelection campaign in 1996. It is likely that they have contributed to the GOP as well.