The US has played nicer than most countries were they to enjoy its economic might and pre-eminence[1]. Few countries would allow their workforce to endure economic self-inflicted hardship while maintaining an economic advantage in negotiating trade. But the US has, over the years, put up with unfair trade from Japan, SKorea, China, Some of Europe in the name of "free trade". I don't begrudge allowing some disadvantage with regard some developing nations --but not developed nations.
For fair trade to work, it has to be bi-lateral. If you unilaterally do fair trade but your partner doesn't, you may do your principle good, but you're selling out your worker for principle.<p>Since Reagan, maybe before, the blue collar worker of America has seen their government give in and cower in the face of unfair trade saying, "we'll make it up in services" or "your goods will be cheaper". But what good does cheap do you when you have no job and no money? They never saw their lot get better. People wonder why people are now "working poor".<p>When I was in middle and HS, my bus drivers and janitors (they were not "cleaning engineers" just yet), were able to raise a family with decency. No way that happens now.<p>As Michael Moore poignantly, albeit ironically, said, finally, someone stood up to the corporations and said, "no more". I'll stop the hemorrhaging. One AFL-CIO in PA, the other day, endorsed a Repub. As an atheist, I have to say, Good God, what happened to the Dems? They sold out the American worker in favor of the multinational, transnational capitalists. If they don't watch out, they will lose labor to Repubs.<p>[1]Just look at how China manages its advantage in Africa, LatAM, etc. Japan in SEAsia, Russia with Former SU repubs., etc.