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There is absolutely no moral ambiguity in demanding fairness in trade. It's actually the highly moral position, see prisoner's dilemma.

• Gormo 2y ago
  Trade is conducted by individuals and businesses, not by nation-states. The fact that two parties have agreed to a mutual value-for-value exchange makes it fair by definition, and what is unfair is encumbering some people's commerce in order to serve the interests of some particular political faction. The proper moral position is for trade to be governed by rational rules that apply consistently regardless of who is trading with whom or what country they are from.
  • himinlomax 2y ago
    Nations are just as relevant as businesses as abstractions as far as trade is concerned. Free trade across the world arguably only exists because it's made possible by the rule-based order with the might of the US Navy and affiliates to secure it.
    • Gormo 2y ago
      Nations are abstractions. Trade involves individuals and businesses. Whatever the US Navy is doing to secure overseas shipping lanes doesn't change the nature of that in any substantive way.
      • himinlomax 2y ago
        Businesses are abstractions. You can't touch a business any more than you can touch a nation.
      • solumunus 2y ago
        Trade involves individuals, businesses and nations. Government policy always affects trade.