Reagan Defends Japan Chip Tariffs, Warns Congress on Protectionism

Reagan Library

Broad statutory trade barriers will trigger foreign retaliation and economic collapse reminiscent of the 1930s Smoot-Hawley tariffs, making presidential discretion essential to preserve open markets.

AI-assisted summary of President Reagan's Radio Address on Free and Fair Trade on April 25, 1987 — original source. Check the original for full context.

Source published: 2017-10-10

Key ideas

President Reagan instituted targeted import duties on Japanese electronic semiconductors due to Japan's failure to enforce a bilateral trade agreement, framing it as an exceptional response to unfair trade practices rather than an escalating conflict. (0:06)
Reagan cited the 1930s Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act as a cautionary tale, warning that protective tariffs induce domestic complacency, provoke retaliatory trade wars, raise consumer prices, and deepen economic distress. (1:53)
The administration pushed back against protectionist legislation in Congress, emphasizing that over 5 million American jobs directly depend on exports and that executive flexibility is vital for upcoming summits with Japan and the Venice Economic Summit. (3:48)

Detailed notes

## Background Published on YouTube by the Reagan Library on October 10, 2017, this recording features President Ronald Reagan's radio address to the nation broadcast from Camp David, Maryland on April 25, 1987. Drawing from the archival records of the White House Television Office, the description details Reagan's perspective on international trade policy, bilateral agreements, and American economic interests.

## TL;DR In his weekly radio address, President Reagan addresses recently imposed targeted duties on Japanese electronic semiconductors, explaining that they serve as a specific corrective measure for an unfulfilled bilateral accord rather than the start of a trade war. Reagan reflects on the Great Depression and the disastrous Smoot-Hawley Tariff to caution against the seductive trap of protectionism, which breeds domestic complacency, spurs foreign retaliation, and destroys jobs. Looking forward to bilateral discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and the upcoming Venice Economic Summit, he urges citizens to resist short-sighted Congressional protectionist bills that would restrict presidential negotiating flexibility and endanger millions of trade-dependent American livelihoods.

## Atmosphere & style The address possesses a calm, fireside gravity, balancing statesmanlike diplomacy with an intimate, conversational delivery typical of Reagan's weekend radio talks. Blending historical reminiscence of the 1930s with principled economic reasoning, Reagan speaks with measured conviction and pedagogical warmth. The tone moves seamlessly from sober diplomatic assessment to a watchful, firm warning against the perils of economic nationalism, leaving listeners with a reassuring sense of executive resolve and global stewardship.

## Bulletin - [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) President Reagan instituted targeted import duties on Japanese electronic semiconductors due to Japan's failure to enforce a bilateral trade agreement, framing it as an exceptional response to unfair trade practices rather than an escalating conflict. - [01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) Reagan cited the 1930s Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act as a cautionary tale, warning that protective tariffs induce domestic complacency, provoke retaliatory trade wars, raise consumer prices, and deepen economic distress. - [03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) The administration pushed back against protectionist legislation in Congress, emphasizing that over 5 million American jobs directly depend on exports and that executive flexibility is vital for upcoming summits with Japan and the Venice Economic Summit.

## Key takeaways - [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) President Reagan emphasized that overall relations with Japan remain strong despite urgent bilateral trade disagreements. - [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) New import duties on Japanese goods were specifically triggered by Japan's non-compliance with an agreement on electronic semiconductors. - [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) The administration asserted that a commitment to free trade inherently demands a commitment to fair trade and enforceable agreements. - [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) The semiconductor duties were intended as a surgical measure to be lifted as soon as verifiable compliance is achieved, rather than the start of a trade war. - [01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) Reagan warned that initial short-term relief from protectionist tariffs gives way to complacency, reduced technological upgrades, and declining domestic innovation. - [01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) Protectionist measures invite foreign retaliation and trade barriers, driving up consumer costs and shuttering domestic factories. - [01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) The catastrophic economic fallout of the 1930s Smoot-Hawley Tariff was invoked as direct evidence of how protectionism damages national prosperity. - [03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) Congressional attempts to enact blanket protectionist bills were criticized as short-sighted pandering to special interest groups. - [03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) Millions of American livelihoods—including over 5 million jobs tied directly to exports—rely on reciprocal and open international commerce. - [03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) Reagan argued that presidential negotiating flexibility must not be curtailed by statutory trade mandates ahead of talks with Prime Minister Nakasone and the Venice Economic Summit.

## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) Semiconductor Tariffs and the Upcoming Meeting with Prime Minister Nakasone

President Ronald Reagan opens his radio address by previewing an upcoming White House visit from Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone. While affirming that overall relations with Japan remain excellent, Reagan notes that trade disputes have become an unavoidable, urgent priority. The previous week, the administration levied new duties on select Japanese imports following Japan's failure to enforce a bilateral agreement governing electronic semiconductors. Reagan emphasizes that levying duties and trade barriers is something he is normally loath to do because trade restrictions harm American workers and consumers over the long run. However, the semiconductor situation presented a clear exception where evidence demonstrated unfair trade practices violating an explicit bilateral accord.

Reagan explains that these targeted duties are intended strictly to resolve a discrete commercial breach rather than initiate an escalating conflict. His forthcoming talks with Prime Minister Nakasone will reiterate a desire to resolve trade grievances cooperatively and lift the punitive restrictions as soon as verifiable compliance allows. Reflecting on recent discussions in Canada, Reagan observes an emerging international consensus that true national prosperity depends upon open, equitable competition rather than self-defeating isolation. As Reagan summarizes his core standard for international commerce: “We expect our trading partners to live up to their agreements as I've often said our commitment to free trade is also a commitment to fair trade.”

- **Targeted Sector:** Electronic semiconductors, subject to new import duties due to non-enforcement of bilateral trade agreements. - **Diplomatic Objectives:** Cooperate with Japan to resolve the breach, avoid a broader trade war, and remove duties once compliance is verified. - **International Alignment:** Builds on free trade discussions recently delivered to Canadian leaders.

---

[01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) The Lessons of Smoot-Hawley and the Vicious Cycle of Protectionism

Reflecting on economic history, Reagan invokes the Great Depression to warn against the seductive appeal of protectionist policies. While enacting tariffs on foreign imports often appears patriotic and promises immediate relief for domestic companies and workers, Reagan argues that such benefits are short-lived and illusory. Over time, protected domestic manufacturers grow dependent on federal shields, abandoning innovation, technological upgrades, and sound management practices necessary to remain viable on the global stage.

The consequences compound when foreign trading partners retaliate by raising their own barriers, plunging nations into destructive trade wars. Tariffs artificially inflate consumer prices to prop up uncompetitive industries, leading to collapsed consumer demand, shuttered factories, and widespread unemployment. Pointing directly to the catastrophic results of the 1930s Smoot-Hawley Tariff, Reagan expresses his deep personal resolve to prevent similar policies from returning. As Reagan reflects on the enduring lessons of that era: “The memory of all this occurring back in the thirties made me determined when I came to Washington to spare the American people the protectionist legislation that destroys prosperity.”

```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: The Cycle of Protectionism accDescr: A flow diagram showing how initial import tariffs lead to complacency, retaliation, market collapse, and job losses.

subgraph Phase1["Initial Policy"] A["Tariffs Imposed on Imports"] --> B["Temporary Relief"] end

subgraph Phase2["Domestic Decline"] B --> C["Complacency & Stalled Innovation"] C --> D["Dependence on Subsidies & Tariffs"] end

subgraph Phase3["International Escalation"] D --> E["Foreign Retaliation & Trade Wars"] E --> F["Artificially High Prices"] end

subgraph Phase4["Economic Collapse"] F --> G["Shrinking Consumer Demand"] G --> H["Factory Closures & Job Losses"] end ```

- **Historical Precedent:** The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which economists and historians widely credit with deepening the Great Depression and stifling recovery. - **Economic Mechanics:** Complacency replaces innovation, triggering foreign retaliation, higher consumer prices, reduced sales, and business closures.

---

[03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) Resisting Congressional Protectionism and Protecting American Jobs

Reagan turns his attention to Capitol Hill, warning that certain lawmakers are pursuing short-sighted protectionist legislation for quick political gain and the favor of special interest groups. He cautions that these proposals ignore how deeply integrated the United States is with the international economy, noting that millions of American livelihoods depend directly on reciprocal trade. The administration remains committed to defending domestic businesses through decisive, surgical action against unfair practices—such as the semiconductor measures—while preserving the overarching architecture of open markets.

Looking ahead to his bilateral summit with Prime Minister Nakasone and the upcoming Venice Economic Summit, Reagan insists that presidential flexibility must not be compromised by restrictive statutory mandates. He warns that Congressional efforts to curb executive trade authority represent a dangerous revival of protectionism that threatens domestic economic vitality. Urging citizens to remain vigilant and ready to push back, Reagan underscores what is at stake: “So with my meeting with Prime Minister Nakasone and the Venice economic summit coming up it's terribly important not to restrict the president's options in such trade dealings with foreign governments.”

- **Jobs at Stake:** Over 5 million American jobs directly depend on foreign exports, alongside additional millions tied to imports. - **Key Summits:** Upcoming bilateral White House meetings with Prime Minister Nakasone and multilateral discussions at the Venice Economic Summit. - **Legislative Threat:** Congressional bills seeking to curb presidential discretion and enforce statutory protectionist measures.

## Notable quotes > [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) We expect our trading partners to live up to their agreements as I've often said our commitment to free trade is also a commitment to fair trade. — Ronald Reagan

## Mentioned Ronald Reagan, Yasuhiro Nakasone, White House, Japan, Canada, Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, Venice Economic Summit, United States Congress

## Video description Full Title: President Reagan's Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade from Camp David, Maryland on April 25, 1987

Creator(s): President (1981-1989 : Reagan). White House Television Office. 1/20/1981-1/20/1989 (Most Recent) Series: Video Recordings, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989 Collection: Records of the White House Television Office (WHTV) (Reagan Administration), 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989

Transcript: https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/research/speeches/042587a

Production Date: 4/25/1987

Access Restriction(s):Unrestricted Use Restriction(s):Unrestricted

Contact(s): Ronald Reagan Library (LP-RR), 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93065-0600 Phone: 800-410-8354, Fax: 805-577-4074, Email: reagan.library@nara.gov

National Archives Identifier:77443170

https://catalog.archives.gov/id/77443170

[Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc)

中文简报

里根为对日芯片关税辩护，警告国会警惕保护主义广泛的法定贸易壁垒将引发外国报复和令人联想起1930年代斯姆特-霍利关税的经济崩溃，这使得总统的裁量权对于维护开放市场至关重要。在每周电台广播讲话中，里根总统就近期对日本电子半导体征收的针对性关税作出说明，解释称这是针对一项未履行的双边协议所采取的具体纠偏措施，而非贸易战的开端。里根回顾了大萧条和灾难性的《斯姆特-霍利关税法》，告诫人们警惕保护主义这一诱人陷阱，指出它会滋生国内自满情绪、激起外国报复并摧毁就业岗位。展望与日本首相中曾根康弘的双边会谈及即将举行的威尼斯经济峰会，他呼吁民众抵制国会短视的保护主义法案，因为这些法案将限制总统的谈判灵活性，并危及数百万依赖贸易的美国人生计。由于日本未能落实一项双边贸易协定，里根总统对日本电子半导体征收了针对性进口关税，并将其定性为针对不公平贸易行为的特殊应对，而非导致冲突升级。 (0:06) 里根援引1930年代的《斯姆特-霍利关税法》作为前车之鉴，警告称保护性关税会诱发国内自满情绪、挑起报复性贸易战、推高消费品价格并加剧经济困境。 (1:53) 里根政府回击了国会的保护主义立法，强调有超过500万个美国就业岗位直接依赖出口，且行政部门的谈判灵活性对于即将举行的美日首脑会谈和威尼斯经济峰会至关重要。 (3:48)

Detailed notes — zh

## Background 本视频由里根总统图书馆（Reagan Library）于2017年10月10日发布在YouTube平台上。视频内容为白宫电视办公室（White House Television Office）记录的历史档案，呈现了罗纳德·里根总统于1987年4月25日在马里兰州戴维营就自由与公平贸易向全国发表的电台广播讲话。 ## TL;DR 在讲话中，里根总统首先通报了针对日本违背半导体双边协议加征关税的决定，澄清此举旨在纠正不公平贸易行为而非发动全面贸易战，并表示将在下周会见日本首相中曾根康弘时寻求合作解决。随后，他以大萧条时期的《斯姆特-霍利关税法》为鉴，深刻剖析了贸易保护主义如何通过扼杀竞争、引发报复和推高物价，最终导致市场萎缩与数百万人失业的恶性循环。最后，里根强调全美有数百万工作岗位依托对外贸易，呼吁民众警惕国会中试图削弱总统外交谈判权的短视保护主义立法，共同捍卫国家长远经济繁荣。 ## Atmosphere & style 整段广播洋溢着里根标志性的庄重、沉稳与说服力，展现出一位统揽全局的领导者在戴维营炉边式的从容与坦诚。他的语调从对贸易违约的坚定原则，转向借历史痛点唤醒民众记忆时的深切警示，情感充沛且逻辑严密。整场讲话兼具沉着的政策说理与紧迫的历史危机感，让听众在聆听过程中深刻感受到其在国际贸易博弈与国内政治阻力间力挽狂澜的坚定信念。 ## Bulletin - [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) 因日本未能履行电子半导体设备双边贸易协定，美国政府针对部分日本商品加征关税，但强调这是针对违约的孤立纠偏举措，绝非挑起全面贸易战。 - [01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) 里根引述大萧条时期的《斯姆特-霍利关税法》警示全国，高关税保护主义会引发贸易报复、物价飞涨和市场崩溃，最终损害工人和消费者的长远利益。 - [03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) 美国全境有超500万个就业岗位直接依赖对外出口，数百万岗位依赖进口贸易，国会推动的限制性贸易立法将严重危及国家经济繁荣。 - [03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) 在会晤日本首相中曾根康弘及出席威尼斯经济峰会前夕，里根严正警告国会不得削弱总统的外交谈判与贸易磋商权限。 ## Key takeaways - [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) 日本首相中曾根康弘即将访美，双边贸易分歧成为两国政府的核心议程。 - [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) 美方对日部分产品加征关税的直接原因是日本企业违反半导体双边贸易协议，从事不公平竞争。 - [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) 里根明确指出美国对自由贸易的承诺同样也是对公平贸易的承诺，并期望在证据允许的第一时间撤销关税。 - [01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) 自由与开放的贸易理念受到加拿大领导人欢迎，正逐步成为国际社会的广泛共识。 - [01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) 大萧条时期的《斯姆特-霍利关税法》严重阻碍了经济复苏，是保护主义误国的重要历史教训。 - [01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) 高关税虽然短期看似爱国并保护本土就业，但会促使企业依赖特权、放弃技术创新与管理改革。 - [01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) 关税必将引来外国对等报复，导致关税壁垒节节攀升、市场竞争急剧萎缩。 - [01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) 保护主义人为抬高物价并补贴低效管理，最终导致消费停滞、企业倒闭以及数百万工人失业。 - [03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) 国会部分议员为谋取短期政治私利而迎合特殊利益集团，正在拿美国的整体经济繁荣进行危险冒险。 - [03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) 美国经济与全球深度融合，超过500万个出口岗位和数百万个进口岗位高度依赖开放的贸易环境。 - [03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) 国会试图通过限制性法案捆绑总统谈判权力的做法，实质上是破坏对外磋商的变相保护主义。 - [03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) 里根呼吁美国民众保持警惕并支持政府捍卫自由贸易，以确保全美就业和长期经济增长。 ## Detailed walkthrough ### [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) 日美半导体争端与关税应对措施罗纳德·里根总统在电台广播中向全国民众宣布，日本首相中曾根康弘将于下周造访白宫。虽然美日两国的整体友好关系依然稳固出色，但近期双方在贸易问题上的分歧已成为双边议程中的关键议题。就在前一周，针对日本未能有效执行有关电子半导体设备双边贸易协定的情况，美国政府对部分日本产品加征了新关税。里根强调，加征关税或设立任何贸易壁垒都是他极其不情愿采取的手段，因为从长远来看，此类限制最终会损害每一位美国工人和消费者的利益。然而，日本半导体问题属于特殊情况。美方掌握了明确证据，证明日本企业正在从事违反两国协议的不公平贸易行为。美国期望贸易伙伴能够恪守协议，正如里根所指出的：“As I've often said, our commitment to free trade is also a commitment to fair trade.”（正如我常说的，我们对自由贸易的承诺，同样也是对公平贸易的承诺。）里根明确澄清，实施这些关税只是为了解决特定的违约问题，绝非企图挑起全面贸易战。下周会见中曾根首相时，他将继续传达这一立场：美国愿继续就贸易问题展开合作，并渴望在证据允许的第一时间内解除这些贸易限制，因为美日两国都有责任去促进唯有自由贸易才能带来的繁荣与经济发展。 - 日本首相中曾根康弘定于下周访问白宫，贸易分歧位列核心议程。 - 美方对日本部分商品加征关税的直接诱因是日本未能履约执行半导体贸易协定。 - 里根强调关税行动属于针对不公平贸易的孤立纠偏举措，目的不是发动贸易战。 ### [01:53](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=113s) 斯姆特-霍利关税的历史教训与保护主义恶性循环里根谈到，自由贸易的信息不久前已传递给加拿大领导人并受到热烈欢迎。目前全世界日益意识到，实现全体国民繁荣的正确道路是摒弃保护主义立法、倡导公平开放的竞争。对于经历过大萧条的一代人来说，当年的苦难记忆深沉而刺痛。许多经济分析学家和历史学家指出，当年通过的《斯姆特-霍利关税法》（Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act）极大地加深了大萧条，阻碍了经济复苏。表面上看，主张对外国进口商品征税似乎是在保护本土产品和就业的爱国之举，短期内或许能起效，但这仅仅是暂时的。里根深入剖析了关税随之引发的经济衰退机制：本土产业一旦依赖政府高关税保护，便会停止竞争，放弃在全球市场立足所需的管理革新与技术创新；紧接着，高关税不可避免地引来外国报复，点燃激烈的贸易战，造成关税层层叠加、壁垒越筑越高；关税人为抬高物价并补贴了低效与管理不善，消费者最终停止消费，市场随之萎缩崩溃，企业倒闭，数以百万计的工人失去饭碗。 ```mermaid flowchart TD accTitle: 保护主义恶性循环流程图 accDescr: 展示高关税从短期保护演变到贸易战、消费萎缩与大规模失业的连锁反应过程 subgraph Phase1["初期阶段"] A["加征进口关税 （看似爱国、短期保护）"] --> B["本土产业依赖保护 停止技术创新与管理改革"] end subgraph Phase2["对抗升级"] B --> C["外国实施报复 触发激烈贸易战"] C --> D["关税壁垒节节攀升 市场竞争急剧减少"] end subgraph Phase3["经济崩溃"] D --> E["商品价格人为扭曲高企 补贴低效与管理不善"] E --> F["消费者停止购买 市场萎缩崩溃"] F --> G["企业大批倒闭 数以百万工人失业"] end ``` 正是这段惨痛的历史记忆，让里根在入主华盛顿后下定决心，绝不让美国人民遭受毁灭繁荣的保护主义立法的危害。正如里根反思历史后果时发出的警示：“The result is more and more tariffs, higher and higher trade barriers, and less and less competition.”（其结果就是关税越来越多，贸易壁垒越来越高，而竞争越来越少。） ### [03:48](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=228s) 捍卫总统贸易谈判权与反对国会短视立法里根指出，抵制保护主义的道路并不轻松。正如大萧条时期一样，如今国会中仍有人试图谋取速成的政治利益，为了迎合某些特殊利益集团的短期诉求，不惜拿美国的经济繁荣冒险。这些议员忽视了一个关键事实：美国有超过500万个工作岗位直接与对外出口挂钩，还有数以百万计的就业机会依赖于进口贸易。面对即将到来的中曾根首相会晤以及威尼斯经济峰会（Venice Economic Summit），里根强调在与外国政府进行贸易磋商时，绝不能捆住总统的手脚、削弱总统的外交谈判权限。遗憾的是，国会部分势力正在推动此类危险的限制性立法，其实质依然是变相的保护主义。里根呼吁美国民众保持警惕并给予支持，因为关乎的是全美的就业与经济增长。在广播的尾声，里根向听众致谢并表达了祝福。 - 超过500万个美国就业岗位直接依赖外国出口贸易，另有数百万岗位与进口紧密相连。 - 里根在严打半导体等不公平贸易的同时，坚持长期维护自由贸易与经济增长的基本国策。 - 威尼斯经济峰会召开在即，里根严正警告国会不得通过削弱总统对外贸易谈判权限的保护主义法案。 ## Notable quotes > [00:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc&t=6s) As I've often said, our commitment to free trade is also a commitment to fair trade. — 罗纳德·里根 ## Mentioned 罗纳德·里根, 中曾根康弘, 白宫, 《斯姆特-霍利关税法》, 威尼斯经济峰会, 美国国会 ## Video description Full Title: President Reagan's Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade from Camp David, Maryland on April 25, 1987 Creator(s): President (1981-1989 : Reagan). White House Television Office. 1/20/1981-1/20/1989 (Most Recent) Series: Video Recordings, 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989 Collection: Records of the White House Television Office (WHTV) (Reagan Administration), 1/20/1981 - 1/20/1989 Transcript: https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/research/speeches/042587a Production Date: 4/25/1987 Access Restriction(s):Unrestricted Use Restriction(s):Unrestricted Contact(s): Ronald Reagan Library (LP-RR), 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley, CA 93065-0600 Phone: 800-410-8354, Fax: 805-577-4074, Email: reagan.library@nara.gov National Archives Identifier:77443170 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/77443170 [Source](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5QK03KXPc)

Source quotes

[0:06] 罗纳德·里根: As I've often said, our commitment to free trade is also a commitment to fair trade.

Source quotes

[0:06] Ronald Reagan: We expect our trading partners to live up to their agreements as I've often said our commitment to free trade is also a commitment to fair trade.

Original transcript

[0:06] my fellow Americans Prime Minister naka [0:10] Sony of Japan will be visiting me here [0:11] at the White House next week it's an [0:14] important visit because while I expect [0:16] to take up our relations with our good [0:17] friend Japan which overall remain [0:19] excellent recent disagreements between [0:22] our two countries on the issue of trade [0:24] will also be high on our agenda as [0:26] perhaps you've heard last week I placed [0:29] new duties on some Japanese products in [0:32] response to Japan's inability to enforce [0:34] their trade agreement with us on [0:36] electronic devices called semiconductors [0:39] now imposing such tariffs or trade [0:43] barriers and restrictions of any kind [0:45] are steps that I am loathe to take and [0:48] in a moment I'll mention the sound [0:50] economic reasons for this that over the [0:52] long-run such trade barriers hurt every [0:55] American worker and consumer but the [0:58] Japanese semiconductors were a special [1:00] case we had clear evidence that Japanese [1:04] companies were engaging in unfair trade [1:06] practices that violated an agreement [1:08] between Japan and the United States we [1:11] expect our trading partners to live up [1:13] to their agreements as I've often said [1:15] our commitment to free trade is also a [1:18] commitment to fair trade but you know in [1:21] imposing these tariffs we were just [1:23] trying to deal with a particular problem [1:25] not begin a trade war so next week I'll [1:28] be giving Prime Minister naka Sony this [1:30] same message we want to continue to work [1:33] cooperatively on trade problems and want [1:35] very much to lift these trade [1:37] restrictions as soon as evidence permits [1:40] we want to do this because we feel both [1:43] Japan and the United States have an [1:45] obligation to promote the prosperity and [1:47] economic development that only free [1:49] trade can bring now that message of free [1:53] trade is one I conveyed to Canada's [1:55] leaders a few weeks ago and it was [1:58] warmly received there indeed throughout [2:00] the world there's a growing realization [2:02] that the way to prosperity for all [2:05] nations is rejecting protectionist [2:07] legislation and promoting fair and free [2:10] competition now there are sound [2:12] historical reasons for this but those of [2:15] us who lived through the Great [2:16] Depression the [2:17] memory of the suffering had caused his [2:19] deep and searing and today many economic [2:22] analysts and historians argue that high [2:25] tariff legislation passed back in that [2:27] period called the smoot-hawley Tariff [2:29] greatly deepened the depression and [2:32] prevented economic recovery you see at [2:35] first when someone says let's impose [2:37] tariffs on foreign imports it looks like [2:39] they're doing the patriotic thing by [2:41] protecting American products and jobs [2:44] and sometimes for a short while it works [2:47] but only for a short time what [2:49] eventually occurs is first homegrown [2:52] industry start relying on government [2:54] protection in the form of high tariffs [2:56] they stop competing and stop making the [2:59] innovative management and technological [3:01] changes they need to succeed in world [3:03] markets and then while all this is going [3:06] on something even worse occurs high [3:09] tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation [3:11] by foreign countries and the triggering [3:13] of fierce trade wars the result is more [3:16] and more tariffs higher and higher trade [3:18] barriers and less and less competition [3:20] so soon because of the prices made [3:23] artificially high by tariffs that [3:24] subsidize inefficiency and poor [3:27] management people stop buying then the [3:29] worst happens markets shrink and [3:31] collapse businesses and industry shut [3:33] down and millions of people lose their [3:36] jobs the memory of all this occurring [3:38] back in the 30s made me determined when [3:40] I came to Washington to spare the [3:42] American people the protectionist [3:44] legislation that destroys prosperity now [3:48] it hasn't always been easy there are [3:50] those in the Congress just as that we're [3:51] back in the 30s who want to go for the [3:53] quick political advantage who risk [3:56] America's prosperity for the sake of a [3:58] short term appeal to some special [4:00] interest group who forget that more than [4:02] 5 million American jobs are directly [4:05] tied to the foreign export business and [4:08] additional millions are tied to imports [4:11] well I've never forgotten those jobs and [4:14] on trade issues by and large we've done [4:16] well in certain select cases like the [4:19] Japanese semiconductors we've taken [4:22] steps to stop unfair practices against [4:25] American products but we've still [4:27] maintained our basic long-term [4:29] commitment to free trade [4:31] and economic growth so with my meeting [4:35] with Prime Minister naka Sony and the [4:37] Venice economic summit coming up it's [4:40] terribly important not to restrict the [4:43] president's options in such trade [4:45] dealings with foreign governments [4:47] unfortunately some in the Congress are [4:50] trying to do exactly that I'll keep you [4:53] informed on this dangerous legislation [4:55] because it's just another form of [4:57] protectionism and I may need your help [5:00] to stop it [5:01] remember America's jobs and growth are [5:04] at stake until next week thanks for [5:06] listening and god bless you