[WMarshal]

I call bulls#@t on free trade! At the founding of our republic the federal govnment ran mostly off tarrif duties. It was understood the one of the main functions of government was to protect American business from unfair trade practices. Under this protection America became a leading industrial power. It is working for China as we speak.

[1rudeboy]

If state-managed economies are your thing, enjoy your Chevy Volt and those curly-cued lightbulbs.

[khelus]

Calling our trade relationship with China 'free trade' is a good example of Newspeak.

China Celebrates Outwitting Us

[1rudeboy]

One last thing, it was definitely not "understood the one of the main functions of government was to protect American business from unfair trade practices."

The Founders saw tariffs as a way to raise revenue, and some of them such as Hamilton, (correctly) argued that they could be used to protect infant industries.

I don't know where the notion of "fairness" came from, but you can probably guess.