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Lets say you are right. If protectionism was so bad for the US and so good for our competitors, then our competitors would be begging us to increase our protect

Lets say you are right. If protectionism was so bad for the US and so good for our competitors, then our competitors would be begging us to increase our protectionism. But they are doing the exact opposite. If protectionism was so good for the competitor, Boeing and the US government wouldn't be attacking the EU and their subsidies and protectionism of Airbus. If protectionism is so bad for Boeing, why have the Boeing execs lobbied the US government for more protectionism? If protectionism is so bad, why has bombardier lobbied canada and quebec for protectionism for decades? If protectionism is so bad, why has airbus lobbied for protectionism from the EU even before they became operational? Airbus was born with protectionism and subsidies that is the envy of the world. I'm not entirely for or against protectionism, but the blanket ideology that protectionism is bad is historically incorrect. Ask Boeing, ask Airbus, ask Bombardier. If Airbus starts demanding more tariffs, subsidies and protectionism for Boeing in the US, then I'll start to believe what you say. If Boeing demands that EU give Airbus even more subsidies and greater market protection it the EU, then I'll start to believe what you say.

_Codemonkeyism 7y ago
Your argument basically is: War is good, b/c after the first strike everything is ok for the attacker. You forget that there is always some kind of reaction. Protectionism always works in the short run. We'll see how protectionist US looks in 10y. Then you can argue depending on results it works.
rurp 7y ago
>If protectionism was so bad for the US and so good for our competitors, then our competitors would be begging us to increase our protectionism. But they are doing the exact opposite. Most people view trade in general as a mutually beneficial endeavor.
- basetop 7y ago
  I too agree that trade can be a mutually beneficial endeavor. But it's not an either-or nor an absolute. Trade can be good, trade can be bad. Protectionism can be good, protectionism can be bad. History has shown that a certain amount of trade and a certain amount of protectionism is the formula for success and trade. As I pointed out before, some of the top trading nations are the US, China, Japan, Germany and South Korea. All of them have significant amount of protectionist policies. All of them also have significant amount of trade. It's a false dichotomoy to claim you can have trade or you can have protectionism. You can have both.
matt4077 7y ago
The US car industry is advocating pretty vehemently against tariffs right now. But besides, you’re not even mentioning the customers, who always loose out because their natural choice of product is artificially influenced.

_Codemonkeyism 7y ago

Your argument basically is: War is good, b/c after the first strike everything is ok for the attacker. You forget that there is always some kind of reaction. Protectionism always works in the short run. We'll see how protectionist US looks in 10y. Then you can argue depending on results it works.

rurp 7y ago

>If protectionism was so bad for the US and so good for our competitors, then our competitors would be begging us to increase our protectionism. But they are doing the exact opposite. Most people view trade in general as a mutually beneficial endeavor.

basetop 7y ago
I too agree that trade can be a mutually beneficial endeavor. But it's not an either-or nor an absolute. Trade can be good, trade can be bad. Protectionism can be good, protectionism can be bad. History has shown that a certain amount of trade and a certain amount of protectionism is the formula for success and trade. As I pointed out before, some of the top trading nations are the US, China, Japan, Germany and South Korea. All of them have significant amount of protectionist policies. All of them also have significant amount of trade. It's a false dichotomoy to claim you can have trade or you can have protectionism. You can have both.

matt4077 7y ago

The US car industry is advocating pretty vehemently against tariffs right now. But besides, you’re not even mentioning the customers, who always loose out because their natural choice of product is artificially influenced.