What politicians are avoiding

For many years tariffs were an important part of the American Economy. In the 1800s tariffs were the primary source of revenue for the Federal Reserve. Later from 1918-1940, protective tariffs were used by the government to protect undeveloped, noncompetitive industries. After World War II, American industry prospered, GATT (General Agreement on Tariff and Trade) was established and the U.S. promoted minimizing tariffs and liberalizing trade among capitalist countries.

The GOP under Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush eventually abandoned protectionist ideology and came out in favor of global trade with minimal barriers, followed by the free trade agreement with Canada in 1987 and with Clinton's support, the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994 and in 2002 granting China "most favored nation" status, with low or no tariffs.

Proponents of fair trade promised prosperity based on intellectual skills and knowledge. Instead we have a nation with no jobs, debt, defaults and government doomed to collapse. Imposing tariffs will slow down imports, bring in revenue and support industries until new forms of production can be developed.

A few facts to consider:

Operation 2010: Expenses: $3.456 trillion; revenue: $2.162 trillion; budget deficit: $1.294 trillion; imports: $1.948 trillion; exports: $1.280 trillion; trade deficit: $668 billion (51 percent). China alone: $364.9 billion imports; exports: $91.8 billion; trade deficit: $273.1 billion.

China imposes a VAT on all products from the U.S., 25 percent on cars. The U.S. adds zero. In 2010 China provided 12 million, 72 percent ($23.2 billion), of U.S. imported computers.

JACK H. KNOWLAN SR., Jackson