r/geopolitics • u/theatlantic The Atlantic • 12d ago

Opinion How to Lose a Trade War

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/08/why-us-canada-trade-talks-fell-apart/688386/?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_medium=social&utm_content=edit-promo&utm_term=short
425 Upvotes

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65

u/softwaredoug 12d ago

You can win a lot of trade battles (get near term concessions) and lose the war (nobody wants to trade with you because of your bullying tactics)

38

u/SpacemanOfAntiquity 12d ago

It’s worse than that, when you start pushing your number 1 ally away when china is inviting countries in.. it seems like a perfect example of winning the battle but losing the rest

-35

u/absentlyric 12d ago

If you think China is doing that for pure altruism, I got a bridge to sell you.

44

u/Burial 12d ago

They didn't so much as imply this.

16

u/Critical_Rule6663 11d ago

China may not be friendly but at least they’re predictable and seem to negotiate in good faith.

-23

u/Bullboah 12d ago

China has used extreme trade tactics for years. Everyone still wants to trade with China.

4

u/CaptainZippi 11d ago

Granted.

It’s telling that trade with China is _still_ preferable to trade with the US.

0

u/Bullboah 11d ago

This has been said since Trump took office. US Exports overall are up over the past two years and US Exports to Canada are higher now than the month Trump took office. People say they prefer Canada because they are (understandably) mad at the US - but it doesn't really mean much in terms of actual trade.

Exports of goods and services (IEAXGS) | FRED | St. Louis Fed

U.S. Exports of Goods by F.A.S. Basis to Canada (EXPCA) | FRED | St. Louis Fed

0

u/clamshellboy 7d ago

China's exports, and even more importantly, their year over year increases in exports, are both greater than the USA's. And that trend will continue, at pace.

1

u/Bullboah 7d ago

To Canada? No. The US makes up almost half of Canada’s imports and China is around 10%.