Ronald Reagan

“ America can be proud of its record in international trade. From the earliest days of the Republic, the Yankee trader was a familiar figure in all the great cities of the world. Merchants of every nation knew and respected these traders for the energy and resourcefulness that have always been so characteristic of the American people. By the middle of the nineteenth century, clipper ships from the United States had become the graceful symbols of our national determination to be first and best. ”

“ To the American consumer, free and fair trade has meant better products in greater variety and at lower prices.
There is no question that world trade is fiercely competitive nowadays. Few industries are unaffected by the pressure of foreign goods and services, whether competing for sales at home or abroad. This is a continuing challenge for us. Some would have the United States look to protectionist measures for the answer to competition. As we learned in the 1930's, protectionism in one country only provokes retaliation and invites protectionism in others. ”

“ Today, the United States is he greatest trading nation on Earth. We are the world's largest economy, its biggest market, and its leading exporter. American brand-names are household words in every market, and everywhere the word "Made in U.S.A." are accepted as an assurance of the highest quality and service. ”