February 26, 2004

Friedman Gets It

Tom Friedman is right on the money when it comes to outsourcing, globalization, and a growing, dynamic economy:

[W]e must design the right public policies to keep America competitive in an increasingly networked world, where every company — Indian or American — will seek to assemble the best skills from around the globe. And we must cushion those Americans hurt by the outsourcing of their jobs. But let's not be stupid and just start throwing up protectionist walls, in reaction to what seems to be happening on the surface. Because beneath the surface, what's going around is also coming around. Even an Indian cartoon company isn't just taking American jobs, it's also making them.

The debate shouldn't be about protectionism vs. free trade. What it should be about is what's the best public policy to encourage the business creation and job growth. Friedman and I would probably disagree on details big and small, but we're both looking in the same direction. This is easily the best column Friedman has written in some time.

"What Goes Around . . ."