What is so wrong about using our leverage as the world's largest economy to protect the interests of our citizen's, just like China does?
It's just a thought experiment. I understand the US constitution vests the power to regulate interstate commerce with the Federal government.
Let me put it another way. If it would be advantageous for the US to erect trade barriers against Chinese exports, why would it not be advantageous for California to erect trade barriers against Mississippi, where average wages are dramatically lower, there are far fewer environmental regulations, etc.
It would totally benefit California because they could do whatever they wanted and companies couldn't just up and move to Mississippi if things got too bad.
California (and all other states) consumers, on the other hand, would not benefit as prices would rise as a result of this protectionism.
Not really sure what the point of this red herring is but the theory of protectionism applies equally well at all levels from the mom and pop grocery store opposed to a new Walmart to continent sized economic blocks.
I agree that the effects would be largely the same. The point of the thought experiment is that protectionists never clamor for interstate trade barriers.
Almost universally, protectionists accept and even marvel at the US single market and interstate free trade, but they somehow lose sight of the benefits when trade becomes international.
I would say it's because the states have a generally level playing field due to federal laws/regulations while foreign countries can do whatever they want to reduce prices. It's not like Ohio can make child labor legal or something like that.
Though I will admit most protectionists aren't really known for their ability to construct a rational economic argument to support their position.