How well are we learning from our past lessons? What are we doing to correct the disastrous course we have charted? On the issue of fair trade vs free trade? not.much.

This photo was taken as the South Korean Parliament descends into (even more than normal levels of) chaos over plans to ratify a free trade agreement with the USA. This agreement is the largest since NAFTA and will be yet another blow to our own auto industry, as well as hurt the South Korean agricultural sector.

To get this passed the ruling party is breaking rules left right and center.


South Korean opposition party members try to enter a parliamentary committee room barricaded by ruling party legislators in Seoul.- photo from Jeon Young-han-AFP/Getty Images

South Korea and the United States signed the accord that calls for slashing tariffs and other barriers to trade in April last year after 10 months of tough negotiations, though neither side's legislature has yet ratified it — the key step needed for it to take effect.

The pact is the largest for the U.S. since the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico and the biggest ever for South Korea. NAFTA, signed in 1993, took effect the following year.

Proponents in both countries say it would not only expand trade but further cement ties between Washington and Seoul — key security allies who have cooperated on issues such as North Korea for decades.

Opponents counter that it will cause pain to key sectors in both nations — agriculture in South Korea and automobiles in the United States.from the AP

So let me get this straight--as we discuss how to try to help the Auto industry-- we are signing deals to help kill it. And as we ban tainted foods from China, we are signing deals to import more food that is less under our health and safety control and will hurt our own efforts to regrow small farms and make our food supply increasingly local and sustainable. And we are going to import more of our corn and high fructous corn syrup to SK and make it harder for their farmers as well. Sounds like a plan.

Oh and we have the added benefit of being an inspiration for division in legislative chambers the world over.

So what did we learn from NAFTA? seems like-- nada.