Trade Protectionism and International Trade Policy Study

A Case Analysis Based on the China-US Trade War

Abstract

In the context of globalization and the close interconnection of economies, international trade has become a key driver of economic growth and global cooperation. However, the resurgence of trade protectionism has posed a series of challenges to international trade. The trade war between the United States and China stands as one of the most prominent cases of international trade friction, providing a valuable empirical scenario for the study of trade protectionism and international trade policies. This paper begins with an overview of the US-China trade war, including the development of trade relations, the scale and structure of trade between the two nations, and the causes and key issues of the trade war. Subsequently, the article reviews the theoretical underpinnings of trade protectionism, focusing on the concepts and forms of protectionism, as well as the motivations behind it. Through the analysis of the US-China trade war case, the paper examines the direct and indirect impacts of this trade conflict on the economies of both countries and the international trade order at large. The research finds that while trade protection measures may benefit certain countries or industries in the short term, such practices are likely to harm the overall interests of the global economy in the long run, increasing uncertainty and instability within the international community. Finally, based on the current state of international trade, this paper proposes a series of strategies to address trade protectionism and offers insights into the future development trends of a new international trading system and international trade policies. The article emphasizes that in the face of the challenges posed by trade protectionism, the international community must work together through dialogue and cooperation to find long-term solutions to global trade imbalances, thereby promoting the shared prosperity and development of the world economy.