Like most protectionists, the writer lamented the so-called trade deficit. This is but one small number in a very large picture. We should focus on the increased level of trade. That's where the jobs come from. The trade deficit is really little more than an accounting figure.
Deficits are common in prosperous times.
Increase, decrease or eliminate the trade deficit and it won't matter much. Free trade benefits everyone involved. The ''giant sucking sound'' and other scare stories offered up by protectionists failed to materialize. Now, they are fabricating a connection between free trade and drug smuggling. What I can't figure out is why there are still people inventing ''a multitude of serious problems'' when the benefits of trade are so apparent.