A Narrow View of America’s Trade With China

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Former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Washington, July 26, 2022. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Former U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer writes, “The existence of huge, persistent trade surpluses by some countries and similar deficits by us means that there are government policies causing massive distortions. Imposing tariffs will offset these countries’ unfair practices” (Letters, Jan. 8). He makes this point forcefully in his new book, arguing that “trillions of dollars are transferred to our adversary [China] in the form of trade deficits.” Even apart from the mistaken notion of a wealth transfer through a trade deficit, Mr. Lighthizer’s stance...