It feels to me like the US as a whole is getting more protectionist over the last decade, and that the free trade everyone is welcome, export to our market for

It feels to me like the US as a whole is getting more protectionist over the last decade, and that the free trade everyone is welcome, export to our market for free is seeing some massive attacks. This is a feeling shared by both the left and right in the populist portions of both parties. People are looking for ways to get more solid middle class jobs back into the USA, and protectionist trade policy is an obvious place to start for many. Prior to Bretton Woods there had never been a system of free trade between (nearly) all countries enforced by a singular superpower. There's nothing fundamental saying that America won't swerve away from providing the service of protecting and enforcing global trade. If that ever happens, it will have many serious consequences, but the US could still decide it is in its best interest.