Weaponizing Trade Using trade to influence geopolitical outcomes is not new but its use has intensified. While some might use the U.S. as the cause of its escalation, the American reaction is more of a lag effect to pre-existing conditions. Australia and now Canada can attest that China’s use of its import regime to punish Canberra and now Ottawa were not precipitated by Washington. And Europe has now witnessed its dairy products being added to China’s import investigations like those ongoing against EU brandy and pork. Though it is also true that DC has jumped into the game with both feet, now refusing to even negotiate a trade solution with India.  The U.S. Congressional politics around tariffs are now becoming interestin...

TAGS – North America, Macroeconomics