Truly open global markets not only cultivate good relationships between nations, but can also increase a nation’s growth. The nations with the most rapid growth tend to be those with truly open markets. Encouraging an environment of free trade with all nations is essential. Protectionism has the opposite effect, it shirks the growth of the nation, and it makes it difficult for good relationships to be built with other countries.
There should be open travel, trade and communication and diplomacy with other nations. The current trade agreements that are in place in a few nations are actually restrictions on trade. They consist of regulations and are managed in a way that really benefits big businesses or special interests rather then the actual citizens of the nation.
A lot of the protectionist policies of trade agreements have restrictive quotas, have excessive taxes and permits that companies must file now before entering the market, discourage imports and try to keep foreign products out of domestic markets. Adam Smith, who was considered one of the mentors that the founding fathers of the US looked to, warned against the interested sophistry of industry that would seek for personal advantage at the expense of the consumer.
Any nation that allows for the free trade between individuals without government interference will experience a faster growth rate economically, then those nations that try to employ protectionist tactics to favor only certain companies, industries or people. It is much easier to see what the true supply and demand of the consumers is without an over-managed regulated trade system. And the true costs are revealed to the people rather then setting an artificial price by manipulating trade.