This statement sums up the view of UPS Chairman and CEO Scott Davis about global trade. Writing in today’s online Wall Street Journal, Davis explains in very easy-to-understand terms the value of trade and the folly of so-called “Buy American” policies. Most interesting is that Davis believes business leaders will have no one else to blame but themselves if they don’t stand up for what is factual and true. Writes Davis:
Trade actually generates jobs. The United States is the world’s largest exporter of goods and services. It’s total exports last year reached $1.8 trillion. The Treasury Department estimates that as many as 57 million Americans work for companies engaged in global commerce.
In my company, we can see how trade creates jobs. We create the equivalent of one new U.S. job for every 40 imported or exported packages we add to our total volume. Last year, we grew this portion of our business by more than 10%, creating thousands of quality jobs. Facts like these are what proponents of free trade must use to counter arguments against globalization.
I share Mr. Davis’ fear about the allure of protectionism. In fact, the emotional arguments put forth by supporters of protectionism remind me of this passage from the book Render Unto Caesar by Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput. He wrote this about participation of Catholics in public life, but I believe it has universal application. (emphasis is mine)
Party loyality is a dead end. It’s a lethal form of laziness. Issues matter. Character matters. Acting on principle matters. The sound bite and the slogan do not matter. They belong to a vocabulary of the herd, and human beings deserve better. Real freedom demands an ability to think, and a great deal of modern life seems deliberately designed to discourage that.
