Here’s a letter to a correspondent:
Mr. Bill Sieta
Mr. Sieta:
Objecting to my criticisms of Trump’s trade policies, you write that you “look forward to President Trump getting tough with China, demanding it buy much more of our exports, AND stop exporting so much to us.”
I’ve a suggestion. If (as is likely) Trump loses the election, hire him to be your employment agent so that he can at least do for you what he’ll be unable to do for the country. Agent Trump will get tough with your employer, demanding that your employer work you much harder, AND stop paying so much to you.
If you believe that such ‘tough’ bargaining by Agent Trump would enrich you and your family, please continue to applaud Trump’s proposed trade policies, for a Pres. Trump would do for all Americans exactly what Agent Trump would do for you and your family. But if you understand that such ‘tough’ bargaining by Agent Trump would make you and your family poorer, please consider rethinking your support for Trump’s policies.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Professor of Economics
and
Martha and Nelson Getchell Chair for the Study of Free Market Capitalism at the Mercatus Center
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
