Trade war

Shanghai, photo: Neda Radulovic-Viswanatha Tariffs are an instrument of trade war if they are used not to protect or, which is the same thing, favour a particular industry, but to coerce other nations to change their policy, trade or otherwise. So, trade war erupts when tariffs are not used for protection but for coercion. The success is measured not in the differential benefit but in the differential hurt. The end sought is a trade deal, akin to a peace agreement,