@xianc78 i think it probably depends on the country, though i'm no economist
@beardalaxy @xianc78 Protectionism and tariffs screw you over too. It's not like you gain anything from selling goods in exchange for paper you never use
@beardalaxy @xianc78 Mr. Jeff McDonalds buys 1000 rubber ducks from Mr. Xing Chang for $1 each
Mr. Jeff now has 1000 rubber ducks
Mr. Xing now has 1000 scraps of paper
Protectionists will word it as if Jeff lost and Xing gained, but you can see the problem…
You only buy if you can sell and you only sell if you can buy