Further to my critique in July, it is proper to refute some of the key contentions which sustain free trade ideology. These arguments–and their flaws–could be considered as follows. Free trade means better prices for consumers Free trade with poorer countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America is desirable, we are advised, because it reduces… Continue reading Free trade revisited
Since the rise of Bob Hawke to the Australian prime ministership in 1983, a bipartisan consensus has advanced free trade. The late 20th and early 21st century was replete with expressions of this ideology, meaning Australia now has 14 such agreements. Notwithstanding this accord within the Liberal-Labor duopoly, from an Australian first perspective, free trade… Continue reading The Problems With Free Trade
All unreferenced quotes throughout this post come from Hamilton’s ‘Silent Invasion’. Some time ago I read Clive Hamilton’s Silent Invasion, a book which details how Australia has begun transitioning into a Chinese vassal state. I encourage all my readers to purchase this book for full reading here. I was initially reluctant to publish a full-length… Continue reading My Summary of ‘Silent Invasion’
By Patrick J. Buchanan, July 27, 2018: “Make America Great Again!” will, given the astonishing victory it produced for Donald Trump, be recorded among the most successful slogans in political history. Yet it raises a question: How did America first become the world’s greatest economic power? In 1998, in “The Great Betrayal: How American Sovereignty… Continue reading Did Tariffs Make America Great?
Last night, Andrew Hastie used his parliamentary privilege to accuse businessman Dr Chau Chak Wing of bribery. The Chinese-Australian has donated 4 million dollars to the Australian Liberal and Labor parties, and these developments have raised broader concerns about ongoing Chinese influence in our media, universities and politics. Before one addresses the scope of these intrusions… Continue reading Andrew Hastie dare raises the Chinese Question
While written a few weeks ago, Pat Buchanan’s response to President Trump’s tariffs are equally relevant to US trade policy, and the topic of protectionism more broadly. While I recommend reading the entire piece, Buchanan’s primary arguments can be summarised as: “Production comes before consumption. Who consumes the apples is less important than who owns… Continue reading Pat Buchanan’s defence of protectionism
In the eyes of many free trade advocates, retreats to protectionism are common precursors to inter- state conflict. While this narrative is problematic when considering the strong correlation between anti- militiary interventionists and anti- free traders, it should also be understood that protectionist measures can be a means of exerting diplomatic pressure, to avoid military conflict. Evidently,… Continue reading There is no such thing as free trade
Scoffing at the concept of an America First President, President Obama once publicly ridiculed then candidate Trump in asking: ‘What magic wand do you have?’ Since then President Obama and his legacy has been turfed out, in place of a new nationalist order which places American workers and economic concerns first. In fairness to the… Continue reading Economic nationalism works
Last year, I highlighted the problem of infinitely expanding trade with China. And suggested that in a trade deal where Australia is flooded with cheap, disposable products, while China gets jobs and wealth, China comes out as the clear winner. Likewise, it appeared that when push came to shove, China would exercise a stranglehold over… Continue reading Malcolm Turnbull’s submission to China
With comparative advantage increasingly diminished amid technological trends, one of the more historically important cases for free trade appears on the wane. Thus, national trade and industries are more and more about trans- national competition, and this is why modern economic protectionism is a furmost patriotic duty. First Things, Robert Cummins, May 1, 2017: A couple… Continue reading My Orange Juice Came From Brazil
Pauline Hanson’s recent speech to the Senate on the importance of Australian ownership: Water should belong only to the Australian people. No-one has a right over it; it should not be bought and sold on the open market. We must protect our water rights. It is the lifeblood of this nation. Senator Hanson (Queensland) (12:53): I… Continue reading The relationship between foreign ownership and the United Nations
One of the last remnants of Australian car production has been terminated, after Holden ended its 68 years of engine manufacturing in Australia. Reportedly, the company has stockpiled V6 engines so it can continue to assemble vehicles in its plant near Adelaide, before this too closes next year. Once this occurs, the final nail in the coffin… Continue reading Holden builds its last engine
A sound argument from Pat Buchanan defending a protectionist trade policy. Perhaps something similar could be pursued here also. “An ‘America First’ Trump Trade Policy”, buchanan.org, November 26, 2016: Donald Trump’s election triumph is among the more astonishing in history. Yet if he wishes to become the father of a new “America First” majority party,… Continue reading An ‘America First’ Trump Trade Policy
