Resolved: That the US should implement additional protectionist policies

My opponent first states that the idea of comparative advantage does not really work in an environment of varying labor standards and unfair labor practices. His first impact states that unfair policies in China and other nations will undermine the competitiveness of small businesses in the US. However, his economic analysis here does not hold up. He ignores one crucially important fact: when another country sells the US cheap goods, American consumers benefit enormously. The Congressional Research Service reported in January of 2007 that, "…low-cost imports [from China especially] have increased overall consumer welfare, enabling consumers to purchase other goods and services (and hence stimulating growth in other sectors of the economy)" [1]. Thus, as consumers are able to do more and more with their money, our economy only grows larger and larger, and the small businesses my opponent is worried about will benefit. My opponent's second impact is that because of free trade, a gradual shift will occur in our societal values until we are as unjust with regard to labor policies as China. However, the tariffs he proposes will only exacerbate this potential problem. Let's look at it this way: when we trade with China (or any foreign nation, for that matter), both economies prosper. Why would American citizens continue to purchase foreign goods if it did not benefit them? If we restrict this trade, we will only hinder economic growth for both nations. If China's economy begins to lag behind, it's logical response would be to increase the use of unfair labor practices such as child labor; in the words of my opponent, China would be striving to become more efficient. On the other hand, by allowing free trade with China, we can encourage economic development in China. With growing prosperity in their country, Chinese businesses would no longer be forced to commit unfair practices and Chinese leaders would be able to ban unfair labor practices without fear of economic downturn. Basically, if we allow China to grow economically, we will see a reduction in unfair policies. This is true of any developing nation. Furthermore, China specifically is already working to improve labor conditions. In a speech at the Albert Shanker Institute in January of 2008, Li Qiang stated that, "…the Chinese government is attempting to improve workers conditions…" [2]. This is because of free trade with the US and other countries, not in spite of it. A protectionist stance now would only serve to reverse this positive trend. We can also look to past experience to see that tariffs are never an effective solution. For an example, let's look at the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930. This protectionist legislation was intended to free the US from the grip of the Great Depression, but, as Paul Blustein of the Brookings Institution noted in December of 2008, the act "…is justifiably notorious for having triggered a disastrous cycle of trade conflict" [3]. When the US imposed restrictions on the ability of other nations to sell their products to Americans, the global community retaliated by imposing similar restrictions on US products. This trade war was detrimental to the US and other countries. In the end, trade restrictions will only be counterproductive, and will never solve our trade problems. [1] . http://www.fas.org.... [2] . http://www.chinalaborwatch.org... [3] . http://www.brookings.edu...