[staytrue]

The trade issue is complicated.

China is responsible for 1/5 of the deficit so you can blame 1/5 of the problem on cheap chinese labor and/or undervalued currency. Revaluing the Chinese currency might help here.

Another 1/5 is energy imports. More drilling in alaska and the gulf with relaxed enviromental regulation for natural gas is the solution there.

Another 1/5 is with Canada and Mexico (nafta). I don't have any solution.

Another 1/5 is with the EU. Again, no solution.

Another 1/5 is with everyone else. Again, no solution.

The US trade deficit is so enormous, there is not a single scapegoat you can pick and no single solution. A general solution where we control our own destiny is to decrease regulation and taxes on business so they are more competitive. More drilling for gas and oil would help. Perhaps a small 1-2% tariff would help.

Bottom line is, US consumers spend 500 billion more than they earn. We must work more or spend less. The American consumer will not be happy to work more and get to spend less.

[harpseal]

Okay lets look at the trade issue and deal with your fifths. First, we have my proposal posted on this thread to generally make uius more competitive which should take care of the one fifth from China and the one fifth from everyone else. Now I also note provision 1 does not exclude the EU but I submit by implementing the other provisions with additional American investment prodcutivity will take care of the remainder except the energy portion but we will be exporting enough to more than cover that. remember Canada and Mexico are energy exporters.

We also have the alaskan reserves as yet untapped (see the point abouit government regulation).