What the world needs now is trade--lots more trade

THE ELECTION: "Trade: Renew The Drive To Open Markets," by Pete Engardio and Steve LeVine, BusinessWeek, 17 November 2008.

What does business want from Obama?

Business would like to see trade restored to the top of the U.S. agenda--whether the aim is to gain better access to foreign markets or to ensure that existing rules are enforced.

Simple logic from Boeing's CEO: "The vast majority of the world's consumers live outside the U.S." Thus, "It is essential to our future growth and prosperity that we stay engaged globally."

So no, Mr. Know-Nothing, there will be no retrenchment from the world in order to get our house in order.

That argument died a logical death several decades ago.