Chris Lewis writes: “We need our finances directed towards those industries where we are not at a significant comparative disadvantage. If the disadvantage is largely due to low foreign wages in what are near slave economies we would be wise to apply a high import duty and apply part of the funds raised toward overcoming the oppression in those economies.”

Absolutely right! Free trade is an engine designed to drive a race to the bottom wages, conditions, environmental protection and tax-funded social infrastructure. That’s what it’s for. Low import prices can come from a number of factors: Economies of scale, efficient production practices in other democracies such as Germany, currency manipulation as in China, a cheap, cowed work force as in China, state subsidies as in some countries’ farm production.

The answer is to run our economy for our inhabitants. That means tariffs to offset price advantages from foreign government subsidies and currency rigging, low wages and working and social conditions (much of Asia), environmental plunder (e.g. timber from Indonesia) for all items imported. Also in some special cases in our national interest (e.g. vehicles) where importation benefits from economies of scale. But no tariffs to protect poor production practices including capital underfunding, featherbedding and bad management.

These remarks are for Australia but would be just as valid elsewhere including America.

Emporer Julian,

Foyle wrote the words you quote.

Emperor Julian and Chris
That presupposes that you know how to run an economy.

You don't.