Reciprocity on trade is probably not a bad thing. What is bad is when it is misapplied.

The US gained much under NAFTA but with any trade deal there are winning and losing sectors. Also there are factors that cannot be controlled, like automation and changing consumer demand. The problem the US now faces is that the Russian Candidate is backing the losers. 

No amount of bilateral dealing will help the losers. It will not change the fact that coal is now facing serious competition from solar power. Automation of manufacturing is only partly complete and likely to continue for another decade. 

If creating jobs is the aim of bilateral deals the US will come up short every time if only because of the slow and steady loss already happening..