Come on.....it wasn't protected after they opened the flood gates. Might as well gut ALL our industries.....most things can be made cheaper elsewhere. We can become a nation of waitresses and pencil pushers.
"what did the policy of protecting this industry for decades achieve?"
It kept people gainfully employed.....an interesting concept.
You're wrong.....if you can't see that by now, I have nothing further to say.
____It's Time to March on Washington. Qui tacet consentit.____