In Reply to: On a very narrow scope, sure, the known cycle is Republicans posted by blindness on August 19, 2026 at 09:27:58
Free trade generally helps all the economies involved to grow. Growth helps reduce the deficit.
Free trade may hurt certain industries, specific regions of the country, and workers in those industries, but the most you can do with trade restrictions is delay the inevitable.
Overall, free trade makes people richer, and trade restrictions make them poorer. The problem is the effects aren't felt evenly. A few can suffer to help the many.