[aeternum]

This isn't always true. Free trade has been shown to work fine even if other countries are imposing tariffs and performing currency manipulation. There may be a temporary deficit, but those dollars still need to eventually flow back into the country with the trade deficit, and lose value over time which is an advantage to the country with the deficit. Australia and NZ have been able to build very strong economies using this approach.

Where it doesn't work is when other countries are willing to engage in theft, including intellectual property theft and industrial espionage.