Bring back our jobs from overseas

LETTERS LETTERS@USATODAY.COM

USA TODAY’s editorial “Trade bashing won’t save our jobs” represents the establishment’s economic thinking. The assumption that trade lowers prices and offers consumers more choice is valuable only to those who have not been affected by job loss. Due to the decrease of manufacturing jobs in the U.S., government budgets are squeezed by the loss of tax revenue and more people are affected. Our trade deficits with two of the countries we have trade agreements with — Mexico and South Korea — have increased after the agreements were signed. This is the opposite of what was promised and lowers the credibility of free-trade proponents.

Our economy has created jobs. But the top 1% decided to put those jobs on the other side of the world. As long as that continues, our economy will remain stagnant at best. Curtis Freeberg Byron, Ill.

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The word “trade” inherently means an exchange of manufactured goods. If we can’t profitably sell things that we make to the global marketplace, then we’ve lost the plot. Unfortunately, America is ultimately to blame for the loss of jobs because we haven’t been able to remain competitive in the global marketplace from a manufacturing point of view. If you think Donald Trump has an answer for this equation, I challenge you and him to provide specifics that don’t cost us dearly. In the meantime, I suggest that we invest in new technology, innovative manufacturing methods, labor reform and a better way of doing business. Michael Anthony Shea

President Obama’s idiculous trade deals, which favor China way more than the U.S., have not saved jobs. This is why we need Trump instead of Hillary Clinton. Barry VanTrees