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Does greater economic openness between nations lead towards economic growth and convergence? Greater economic openness between nations does lead towards economic growth and convergence. All of the first world countries demonstrate greater economic openness then third world countries demonstrate. Although economic openness may be a solution to gain economic growth and convergence, free trade may not be the answer. There are two different views on free trade; the conservative view and the liberal view. In an economic age in which speedy transactions of imports and exports are essential, free trade is a necessity for aiding worldwide economic development. Even today, the United States continues to support free trade, an example being NAFTA (North America Free Trade Agreement). The problem is that America's generosity has caused the foreign industry to take over the U.S. marketplace. This unfortunately has resulted in high unemployment rates because consumers and firms can purchase foreign goods for a little less than domestic products. From a conservative viewpoint, the only remedy to decrease unemployment and stimulate our own economic growth is to abandon the free trade policy and raise tariffs. Free trade has only crippled the American work force, increased poverty, and added to our national debt. If other nations begin to support free trade, the same situation may be likely to occur. Today there are about 10 million unemployed citizens and 35 million Americans are living in poverty because of free trade. Foreign industry is taking advantage of us. Market-opening measures in Asia along with other countries across the world have been promoted by exporting opportunities. In any clothing store and you'll find that most of the apparel comes from South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines. It's simply not feasible for the U.S. apparel industry to compete with the extremely low production costs in Third World countries. Also, another example of an industry hurt by free trade is the lumber industry. Even though our country possesses the largest supply of timber resources, the United States is the largest importer of wood products in the world. The reason: imported wood is less expensive, especially from Canada. Other examples of industries that have responded negatively to free trade are the U.S. textile petrochemical, fishing, and auto industries.
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