Why Trade Assistance?

When company X in Ballard or Seattle goes out of business because company Y in Fremont or Portland, or Alabama has found a cheaper way to produce the same (or better) product, we take it as evidence that the good ole capitalist system is working just fine. We revel in all signs of “successful entrepreneurism” that is what capitalism is all about! No complaints, quite the contrary.

But now this:

If company X in Ballard or Seattle goes out of business because company Y in Toronto or China has found a cheaper way to produce the same (or better) product, we almost invariably observe incensed reactions. There are often feelings of grave injustices – the basic, underlying driver of “fear of international trade.”

Curiously, while intra-national gains from trade are the very foundation of “The American Dream,” inter-national trade is are considered to be undermining the American dream – requiring “protection,” “assistance,” and “compensation.”

How about some examples: