In simple terms, what we see in some countries is a continuing, if misplaced, reliance on protectionism. The answer is not for America to become protectionist, but for these countries to become open. Ambassador Vraalsen said it so well last month in his speech to the Tucson Committee for Foreign Relations. Protectionism is a swift road to poverty. America will not accept indefinitely unequal market access from important trade partners.
Reciprocity is our guiding principle.
Successful shipping companies have already grasped the implications of increasing interconnection among global economies. As a rule, government bureaucracies are slower to change. Few give away power and standing willingly. Clearly this bureaucratic attitude, where it exists, is a strong negative factor, putting great strain on the resources of commercially operated shipping companies. Under the Clinton Administration, U.S. maritime policy has sought to assure a strong American merchant marine to provide economic security as well as national security sealift capability.