Why are bi-lateral trade deals best for America?

If you’re wondering why the Trump Administration is haranguing against economic globalization, trading blocs and multi-lateral agreements, look no further than this pdf chart for the obvious answer.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  One can debate the pros and cons of a persistent trade deficit, but we believe free and fair bi-lateral (nation-to-nation) trade deals are best for the U.S.A in the long run.

[The balance of trade, commercial balance, or net exports is the difference between the monetary value of a nation’s exports and imports over a certain period.^[1]  Sometimes a distinction is made between a balance of trade for goods versus one for services. “Balance of trade” does not mean that exports and imports are “in balance” with each other.  If a country exports a greater value than it imports, it has a trade surplus or positive balance, and conversely, if a country imports a greater value than it exports, it has a trade deficit or negative balance. About 60 out of 200 countries have a trade surplus.]