Final answer:
The US should reconsider its stance on free trade rather than complaining about policies in Japan or Europe, as historical evidence and economic theory strongly support the benefits of reducing trade barriers through agreements like NAFTA and the EU.
Step-by-step explanation:
It's clear there's no point in the US complaining about trade policies in Japan or Europe and that the US needs to consider shedding its prejudices about free trade.
Evidence from around the world, including success stories like Japan, the East Asian Tiger economies, China, and India, demonstrates that economies thrive when they engage actively in international trade.
Agreements like NAFTA and the European Union's internal market have significantly reduced trade barriers, contributing to economic growth.
Benjamin Franklin famously stated, "No nation was ever ruined by trade." This sentiment is echoed by economists who argue that international trade typically provides substantial benefits to participating countries.
Comparative and absolute advantage are foundational concepts that explain why countries gain from trade, by focusing on the production of goods where they are most efficient.
Given this context, when the US voices concerns about the trade policies of other nations, it could be beneficial to reflect inwardly on its own trade policies and attitudes towards free trade, and to actively engage in efforts that reduce trade barriers in pursuit of mutual growth and prosperity.