“Free and fair trade brings growth and opportunity and creates jobs.”— President Ronald Reagan, Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade, August 2, 1986
On April 27, 2018, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington. This high-level meeting held by the two nation’s top elected leaders provides an opportunity to affirm the significance of the transatlantic economic and security partnership and its common vision on long-term strategic interests. In announcing the official meeting, The White House issued a statement relaying that the leaders would “address a broad range of geopolitical and economic challenges.”
America and Germany’s shared values and principles bring these nations together, founded on the rule of law, the bedrock of free societies, protecting life, liberty and private property. The foundational rule of law advances free enterprise and economic opportunity for all. Some 300 years ago, thirteen families established the first German settlement in the American Colonies. Over the centuries this community shaped American industries and contributed to the arts and sciences. Today, more American citizens claim German ancestry than any other.
The recent issues and points of contention brought forth on the vital economic front ought to encourage both sides to prudently review trade opportunities and investments through candid and open discussion, with an emphasis on advancing sound policy and principled solutions. Going forward, America and Germany’s stakeholders have much to gain or lose depending on the outcome of these important talks.
In recognizing Germany’s dynamic role as the European Union’s economic powerhouse, a trading block of 27 nations and 440 million consumers (taking into consideration Britain’s exit), and America, representing the world’s largest economy with 327 million consumers, both sides should urgently work toward reducing trade barriers and removing burdensome regulations. Principled reforms would benefit companies large and small, leading to higher levels of economic growth.
Germany’s steady growth can be attributed to Chancellor Merkel’s leadership as a champion of free trade and proponent of reforms. Andre Tartar and Sam Dodge in an article via Bloomberg stated, “Merkel’s political longevity is linked inextricably with her credentials: Unemployment is down by half since she first took office in 2005. Growth reached an average of 2 percent in her second term while the rest of Europe limped along at a fraction of that.”
According to last week’s Reuters report, “The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday raised its forecast for German economic growth, predicting a healthy 2.5 percent expansion for Europe’s biggest economy this year.”
Trade protectionism through raised tariffs and archaic trade restrictions would be detrimental for citizens and enterprises on both sides of the Atlantic. It would be prudent to boldly advocate a level playing field, pursue free and fair trade, and increase trade openness which spurs competition and innovation, benefiting consumers. There is empirical evidence that free trade works for the benefit of all parties involved.
President Trump has stated the importance of revitalizing America’s manufacturing base. The newly introduced 21 percent corporate tax rate, reduced from the high 39 percent, has proven to be an incentive for U.S. multinational companies publicly announcing measures to bring back profits to America, rather than storing it abroad.
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The article was first posted by Western Journal.
