If This Is An Invasion, Please Conquer Me
18 October 2006
The Editor, New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
To the Editor:
Public understanding of trade is sufficiently poor without you deepening the problem ("Not Coming Soon to a Lot Near You: Chinese Cars," Oct. 18). Contrary to your words, imports are not an "invasion," and foreign merchants who sell things to us neither "conquer" industries nor "flood markets." Invasion and conquest are done by armies using violence to force foreign populations to do the bidding of the conquerors. Floods are similarly unwelcome as they destroy people's lives and properties.
Trade is the opposite. It's peaceful: no one is forced to buy imports. It's productive: consumers get more goods and services at lower prices. Ask New Orleanians today if they regard a Circuit City stocked with Chinese electronic goods to be a calamity on par with Katrina's floodwaters.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
The Editor, New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
To the Editor:
Public understanding of trade is sufficiently poor without you deepening the problem ("Not Coming Soon to a Lot Near You: Chinese Cars," Oct. 18). Contrary to your words, imports are not an "invasion," and foreign merchants who sell things to us neither "conquer" industries nor "flood markets." Invasion and conquest are done by armies using violence to force foreign populations to do the bidding of the conquerors. Floods are similarly unwelcome as they destroy people's lives and properties.
Trade is the opposite. It's peaceful: no one is forced to buy imports. It's productive: consumers get more goods and services at lower prices. Ask New Orleanians today if they regard a Circuit City stocked with Chinese electronic goods to be a calamity on par with Katrina's floodwaters.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Sunday June 3, 2007 at 4:08pm