That is probably true.
I remember the early 80’s and Newt’s push for the free trade agreements.
I also remember Congressman Henry Hyde warning us about history and free trade devastating England’s industries.
Trump knows what a mistake free trade was. He’s pushing for reciprocal trade which is probably the best he can get right now. I think if he just put import tariffs in across the board, he would face a rebellion by both parties.
Still, anyone with half a brain should be able to see what has happened.
What happened to America’s long protectionist tradition? In the end, America only seriously turned away from protectionism as a Cold War gambit to prop up capitalist economies abroad and tie them to the U.S. Geopolitics trumped domestic economics.
Ironically, our old protectionist playbook for economic development is the same one, in many respects, that China and other nations are using against the United States today. Back when we were the ascending economic power in the late 19th century, it was Britain that complained about “unfair trade!” They were right, of course—but given that nobody forced free trade upon them, it was their own fault. Today, having forgotten our own history, we can’t even recognize the game being played against us, let alone figure out how to counter it. We will continue to pay a high price in lost jobs and declining industries until we wise up.
But the 'normal' people and workers would love it. Neither party represents the majority.