Trade Imbalance

“Buy American!” This writer is all for that. Now, where can I find a selection of American-manufactured television sets, VCRs, camcorders, fax machines, stereo sets, portable radios, car stereos and many other electronics?

Should a high import duty be placed on these items, coupled with an investment tax credit to American manufacturers, the trade imbalance with Japan could be substantially reduced. The same tactic can be applied to the automotive car and parts industry, which is, I am told, 75% of the imbalance. Voila! No more imbalance. Who would pay $35,000 to $40,000 for a Japanese car, when a comparable American car can be bought for half that amount?

A. SAL ALPERT

Newport Beach