>The Benefits of Free Trade pin
That would be the benefits of letting unions and government regulatory & taxing authorities run amok.
Free trade is a red herring to distract you from what has destroyed American industry - ridiculous union demands protected by state laws, insane EPA regulations & crushing taxation
Mostly, yes. The reason for the distraction is that the protectionists (the smart ones, at least) understand that they are calling for the government to protect us from a problem the government has (largely) created.
As an example, I myself think private home ownership is a benefit to society, and the government should encourage private home ownership as a matter of public policy (think Jack Kemp). Well, how has that worked out for us? I mean, after the government started managing policy.
There is really very little difference between those folks who think the government can manage the economy to provide them with a well-paying job, and those who think the government should provide them with homes. Or healthcare, for that matter.