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What is a trade war? 101

Leaving politics right out of this, lets talk about how trade wars work. Then you be the judge of who wins and who loses. (Economics is kind of my thing)
If a country wants to protect an industry, say like steel or Aluminium, it has several options.. One, to place a tariff (a charge or tax) on any imported steel. Two, to set quota limits requiring a licence to import it. Three to subsidize the local people to allow them to sell their stuff cheaper. (Remember Farm subsidies)
Now if a nation does any one these, the oversea export country is likely to pick another product the US is selling them and do the same thing, So.. Who wins? Not the consumers.. Either way, they end up paying more for stuff made from Steel and Aluminium, and not the people trying to sell their other products, say food, which is already costing the consumers money in farm subsidies and now they still cant sell, against the other guys tariff..
So who wins?? The governments at either end, pocketing the tariff money...
That's why no sensible person WANTS a trade war.... There ARE NO WINNERS!!!
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lorne13 · 61-69, M
Trumps fake government will lose a lot of what they collect paying fines for setting up illegal tariffs i suspect
whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
I have no trouble with governments collected "revenue" in all kinds of ways.. And it always gets lost in the system. I just wanted people to understand, that the only way to win a trade war is to make/build/sell what you do best and cheaper than anyone else.. This is called a "free market" the cornerstone of capitalism. If the steel industry cant compete, its time it learned how or moved into history, as coal is doing.@lorne13
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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
International trade is a choice by treaty.. The US has a long history of demanding very favourable terms for its trade and using military force and diplomatic pressure to enforce its position.. Some might call it bullying threats or intimidation..@TotalMiss
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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M
Theres the bully.. And its "Was" You left the game.. Learn to play on your own, fine by us, or play by our rules next time..@TotalMiss
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