Foreign Cars’ Impact on Trade

The editorial “Front Seat for Honda Accord” (Jan. 6) was apparently written by someone who needs to explore the situation a bit deeper. True, the Accord is assembled here, but its parts are almost 100% imported. The writer lavished praise on the Japanese auto industry and scorn on our American counterpart for its lack of initiative.

It’s really unfortunate the U.S. auto industry has been under such heavy fire (fueled by this and similar editorials) for so long that many American consumers have become reluctant to give an excellent, quality product a fair chance. Our U.S. auto manufacturers and workers have turned the corner in both design and efficiency. We are now building and selling better than imported domestic vehicles at competitive prices.

In reference to our efforts to bolster the U.S. auto industry, your writer retreated to the standard right-wing line in deploring “protectionism” and hailing “free trade.” Free trade should be a quid pro quo . The Japanese have effectively closed their market to U.S. exports and they’ll never open it as long as U.S. consumers trip all over themselves to buy their products without a thought as to what Japan’s restrictions are doing to the trade deficit and our economy.

Another point the writer should have pondered is the fact that the root word of “protectionism” is “protect.” I, for one, see absolutely nothing wrong with American business and labor lobbying for legislation to protect our jobs, our economy and our way of life. Virtually every other industrial country in the world has tariffs or import duties designed to protect its own industry, labor and economy. We don’t. If trade is to be truly free, it must be evenly balanced.

All we ask is fairness in our trade with other nations. Instead of thumbing your nose at the notion, you should insist on it.

AL YBARRA

President

United Aerospace Workers

Local 887, Anaheim