Same Old Protectionism

The lead editorial in today's Washington Post blasts House leadership for their refusal to enhance American prosperity through free trade agreements with Peru and South Korea. The South Korea deal would have meant American automakers could see their cars sold without the current 8% tariff and with 50% less in sales taxes. As the Post adequately closes,

It would be nice if South Korea and other trading partners accepted every item on every U.S. industry's wish list. But that is not the nature of trade negotiations. In the real world, officials must weigh the costs and benefits to the country as a whole -- not to mention the legitimate interests of the other side. One union and the two smaller U.S. automakers should not be allowed to sink a deal that would improve relations with a strategic ally in Northeast Asia and deliver real gains to U.S. agriculture and industry -- not to mention American consumers. The Democrats' partisan embrace of rationalizations served up by labor and (part of) the auto lobby is not "a new day in trade policy." It's protectionism as usual.