We don't need protectionist policies

Mark Andy Inc. just participated in an event in China celebrating the 100th installation of Mark Andy equipment in China. This was a noteworthy event that the company announced with a sense of pride and accomplishment. The Chinese market is a huge growth opportunity for companies around the world and it's good to see a U.S. manufacturer having success in this region.

I did run this announcement in our weekly newsletter and was not entirely surprised to get a comment saying that actions such as selling presses in China is "why we have no more business in the U.S." Sounds like an advocate for protectionist policies. I guess if U.S. companies stop selling manufacturing equipment into the world's fastest growing emerging economies, we'll be able to live happily ever after, and keep all our jobs in this country.

I don't think that's how it would work, though. There are plenty of other top-notch companies around the world that are competing with the likes of Mark Andy and would gladly step in to take any business that U.S. companies turned away.

Protectionist economic policies can do much harm to our country over the long haul. Our whole economic system—that complements our democracy so well—is built on the principle of competition. Competition makes companies (and our country) stronger and better. Americans love to compete.

The competitive foundation of our capitalist economic system lies at the heart of what can keep our country strong and moving forward for decades to come. Capitalism (properly applied) will drive the new technology developments that will find alternative energy sources and protect our planet.

America knows how to compete. We don't need protectionist policies that handicap us on any playing field.