[nerdcity]

>I know that they are rife with corporate subsidies and targeted protectionism of politically favored domestic industries but it is better than the alternative.

The alternative of actual free trade, free from meddling governmental interference, without corporate subsidies and targeted protectionism?

[bko]

That's not yet a political reality. Don't like perfect become the enemy of the good. With each incremental step and treaty, we help advance this ideal.

[pilsetnieks]

The alternative at this point in the real world is customs, restrictions, and convoluted import and export procedures, i.e., what we have now.