Trade between nations is so much different than trade intra-state. The biggest difference is laws and enforceability. "free"-trade is not completely free. In

Trade between nations is so much different than trade intra-state. The biggest difference is laws and enforceability. "free"-trade is not completely free. Intra-state trade has the benefit of being more civilized (i.e. laws do have weight). Between nations, its the wild, wild, west and there are many externalities to this lawlessness. I've lived in Shanghai for 9 years. China is still trying to figure out how to make the "middle class" a reality before the general population starts to lose faith. Up to now, this belief has ridden on the great rise in trade. The China government has already set things up to blame the U.S. for what will be a slow 2009. Right or wrong, things are going to get rocky; and the lawlessness and uncivilized externalities?..its only the beginning.