Workers assemble new vacuum cleaners KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images

How to Lose a Trade War

The Trump administration's imposition of so-called safeguard tariffs on imports of solar panels and washing machines is directed mainly at China and South Korea. But, while neither country is responsible for America's large trade deficit, further protectionist measures seem certain – and will leave US consumers worse off.

NEW HAVEN – Protectionist from the start, US President Donald Trump’s administration has now moved from rhetoric to action in its avowed campaign to defend US workers from what Trump calls the “carnage” of “terrible trade deals.” Unfortunately, this approach is backward-looking at best. At worst, it could very well spark retaliatory measures that will only exacerbate the plight of beleaguered middle-class American consumers. This is exactly how trade wars begin.

https://prosyn.org/Mpr6qc9