PR in the Philippines

Fort Myers, Florida Apr 6, 2025  – Roy Meidinger Unveils Two Groundbreaking Books on Trade Policy and U.S. Manufacturing

Economist Roy Meidinger is making waves with the release of his new Kindle book, Competition and Trade Barriers – Internal and External, promising a fresh perspective on global trade and U.S. manufacturing. The book provides a detailed analysis of how trade policies, ranging from traditional tariffs and quotas to contemporary protectionist tactics, impact economic efficiency, supply chains, and international relations.

A Closer Look at Trade Barriers
Meidinger’s latest work explores the historical development of trade barriers, offering an in-depth analysis of their use in protecting national industries. The book particularly focuses on tariffs, characterizing them as powerful but imprecise tools in trade policy. Meidinger contends that while tariffs can protect domestic markets, they essentially act as a flat tax. This tax disproportionately affects lower and middle-income individuals, including farmers, by increasing the cost of goods. Unless permanently implemented, tariffs offer only temporary relief and tend to increase prices over time.

Financial Experts Weigh In
Competition and Trade Barriers has been praised by finance and trade policy experts for its balanced viewpoint. They point out that while tariffs may temporarily shield domestic industries, the underlying issues driving offshoring—such as high labor and healthcare costs, stringent regulations, and weakened supply chains—persist. One industry analyst stated, “Tariffs alone cannot revive American manufacturing. History demonstrates that without addressing the fundamental structural problems, trade wars and temporary tariff increases will continue to burden our economy and ultimately harm the consumers they are meant to protect.”

Review: Economic Liberation – Unburdening American Business from FICA and Healthcare Costs

Meidinger’s Economic Liberation: Unburdening American Business from FICA and Healthcare Costs, a hardcover book released earlier in the year, complements his trade policy analysis by addressing the interconnected challenges of declining manufacturing and rising production costs in the U.S. It argues that the loss of domestic manufacturing is caused by systemic issues, notably high labor, healthcare, and regulatory compliance costs.

Identifying the Root Causes
The book offers a thorough examination of why U.S. manufacturers have relocated operations overseas. Meidinger identifies that high employee benefit costs, especially in healthcare, create a significant competitive disadvantage compared to international rivals. These factors, combined with a rigid regulatory environment and an overvalued currency, have weakened American manufacturing.

Fixing the Core Issues
Economic Liberation suggests that targeted reforms in healthcare, labor policies, and regulatory practices are essential for progress. Financial experts agree that reducing these burdens is the only way for American businesses to become competitive enough to attract manufacturing back to the U.S. One expert explained, “Economists generally agree that sustainable recovery will not result from tariff trade wars. Tariffs, by themselves, impose a flat tax that ultimately increases prices and mostly harms low-income and middle-class consumers, including our farmers. Instead, comprehensive structural reforms are necessary.”

Permanent Tariffs: A Flawed Solution
While some suggest that permanently imposed tariffs could create a level playing field, Meidinger warns that such measures would only lock in higher production costs indefinitely. The review emphasizes that without addressing the underlying inefficiencies in the U.S. production model, permanent tariffs would continue to burden consumers and stifle innovation.

A Dual Approach to Economic Revival
Roy Meidinger’s two books offer a timely critique of current trade policies and outline a path for future industrial revitalization. Competition and Trade Barriers – Internal and External details how protectionist measures have failed to solve long-term economic problems, while Economic Liberation provides a plan for fundamental reforms. Together, these works argue that the U.S. can only restore its manufacturing strength by addressing the root causes of offshoring, an approach widely supported by financial experts and industry leaders.

As policymakers and business leaders consider these insights, the need for a comprehensive strategy—beyond just imposing tariffs—is more pressing than ever. Meidinger’s contributions are expected to fuel the next wave of discussions on how to best secure America’s economic future in an increasingly competitive global environment.

Books are Available on Amazon.com