Paying for access to the biggest consumer market.

 MOST MARKET ACCESS IS NOT FREE

MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE MUST BE PAID FOR BY SOMEONE

It is a fact that every time sellers and buyers are offered a forum to conduct business there are costs, usually to the seller, to pay for the infrastructure. This applies to shows and markets where buyers and sellers meet to conduct business.

Another fact is that grocery stores often charge sellers shelf space that is often in the 100's of thousands of dollars per year. These cost help to defray their overhead in providing a place where buyers can easily find the products offered by sellers.

On a national level, the United States is, without a doubt, the largest consumer market in the world. If you have things to sell, this is the market you want to access. Should this market be free to anyone who wants sell their products here?  The reality is this market it supported by a massive infrastructure that is primarily paid for by U.S. taxpayers. 

Domestic sellers help pay for this infrastructure through taxes, fees, permits and other costs. Should foreign sellers assume some of the cost associated with the maintaining of the infrastructure for this massive market?

This infrastructure includes roads, railways and airports all used for the importation of goods to be sold in the USA.

So, how can Americans recoup some of these costs from foreign competitors who have enjoyed access to this lucrative market.

Direct annual payments from sellers to the U.S. would be the fairest possibility. maybe a percentage of their sales. Or maybe their government should assume costs in some way. The other option is a tariff on all goods entering the country.

At present, Trump has placed a 10% tariff on all goods entering the country. It appears this tariff is going to remain, all the other tariffs are negotiating incentives that are expected to be temporary until satisfactory agreements are concluded.

The tariff, while a good idea, maybe not the best solution because everyone will pay for this except domestic manufacturers. This gives the domestic manufactures at least a little repayment for all the costs they have with maintaining this infrastructure. 

The point is, trade is not free, it has lots of associated costs that need to be paid by someone. All partners need to help pay for the costs of this market.