The Cost of Isolation: Why Nationalism in Trade Hurts Pennsylvania’s Economy.  2/21/2025, George Assad

In an era of rising economic nationalism, the push for isolationist trade policies may sound appealing, but it comes with hidden costs—especially for Pennsylvania. Our state thrives on industries like manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare and energy, all of which depend on global trade and stable supply chains. Protectionist policies, while aiming to safeguard domestic jobs, often lead to higher costs, supply shortages, and retaliatory tariffs, ultimately hurting the very businesses they intend to protect.

Pennsylvania farmers, steelworkers, and exporters benefit when we engage with the world—not retreat from it. A balanced trade policy ensures that our industries remain competitive while securing jobs at home. Instead of isolation, we need smarter trade agreements, fair competition, and investment in local innovation to keep Pennsylvania’s economy strong in an interconnected world.

#TradeMatters #PennsylvaniaEconomy #SmartGrowth #GlobalTrade #EconomicPolicy #Economy #Healthcare #Finance