Over the last few decades, millions of American jobs have moved overseas as certain industries have relocated to places like China or Mexico. There remain, however, a number of industries where America has a clear advantage over products from other countries. In fact, these industries have the capability of helping to lead the United States back to stronger economic growth. As more American goods get sold abroad, there will be more jobs created and personal incomes will rise. Export industries could be a significant driver of economic recovery.
One problem that prevents the growth of these export industries is the archaic nature of America's trade agreements with many other countries. New trade agreements are not exciting; nor are they easy. Completing a trade agreement is hard and slow work, but there is no question that the benefits which result are great. In the last four years, China has negotiated and signed 19 new trade agreements with other countries. During the same time, the USA has only reached three agreements, and each of those three was essentially done under the Bush administration. President Obama has gone nearly four years in office without bothering to complete even one new agreement.
Trade is not an issue that will show up often on the front page of the newspapers or on the evening news shows. Completing these agreements is part, however, of the nuts and bolts of governing successfully. On this score, Obama has been a complete failure.
For his part, Mitt Romney has made clear that increasing international trade is one of his principal points for improving the economy. Romney understands the need for trade and the vulnerabilities of an America that ignores the need for trade agreements.
On the issue of trade, clearly the better choice is Romney. In fact, it is a choice between something (Romney) and nothing (Obama).
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