What congress should do is get rid of our tariffs and other barriers to the free flow of goods and services into this country immediately. Taking down barriers increases competition, as America's auto and communications industries serve as testimony. In addition, restrictions should apply to the number of local and state governments, such as in Massachusetts, that have enacted selective purchasing laws discriminating against companies that do business in sanctioned countries. The Massachusetts law is currently being challenged on constitutional grounds. As the Cato Institute Center for Trade Policy Studies declares, open markets mean greater choices and more freedom.
Competition increases productivity and innovation.
The freedom to trade is a basic human liberty and is the principle means of crossing political borders and opening doors for peaceful cooperation. Human rights abuses must not be ignored, but blocking trade hurts U.S. consumers and exporters as well as the most economically vulnerable people world over.