A trade war is a severe economic conflict between nations characterized by retaliatory trade barriers.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Countries imposing tariffs and restrictions on each other.
- Economic conflict impacting global trade and markets.
- Often involves negotiations to de-escalate tensions.
Overview
贸易战（Trade War）是指国家之间因贸易摩擦而采取的、旨在通过限制对方商品进口或增加其出口成本来达成自身贸易目标的一系列对抗性措施。这些措施通常包括提高关税、设置非关税壁垒（如配额限制、技术标准）、实施贸易禁运或补贴本国产业等。贸易战的根源往往是巨额贸易逆差、知识产权纠纷、产业补贴不公平、国家安全考量等。它不仅影响双边贸易额，还可能波及全球供应链，引发金融市场波动，甚至影响国际政治关系。
“贸易战”一词常用于描述国家间的经济对抗。它经常与“爆发”、“打响”、“升级”、“加剧”、“结束”、“缓解”等动词连用。在句子中，它通常作为主语或宾语出现。例如，“两国之间的贸易战已经持续了很长时间。”（主语）或“美国对中国发动了贸易战。”（宾语）。它也可以与“关税”、“制裁”、“谈判”等词语搭配使用。
贸易战是国际关系、经济学和新闻报道中的常见话题。在新闻中，你会经常听到关于“中美贸易战”、“关税战”、“科技战”等报道。在经济学讨论中，它被用来分析贸易保护主义的影响、全球化进程的挑战以及国际贸易规则的演变。在国际政治层面，贸易战也可能被用作一种施压工具，以达到地缘政治或其他战略目的。
“贸易战”与“贸易摩擦”（Trade Friction）在程度上有所不同。“贸易摩擦”通常指两国在贸易往来中出现的、相对温和的分歧或争端，可能通过谈判解决，不一定会采取极端措施。而“贸易战”则意味着冲突的升级，双方采取了更具对抗性的政策。“经济制裁”（Economic Sanctions）是比贸易战更广泛的概念，可以包括贸易限制，但也可能涉及金融、旅行等多个方面，通常用于政治目的。“保护主义”（Protectionism）是贸易战背后的经济思想或政策倾向，指通过限制进口来保护本国产业，贸易战是保护主义的一种极端表现形式。
Examples
两国之间的贸易战给全球经济带来了不确定性。
newsThe trade war between the two countries has brought uncertainty to the global economy.
经济学家们正在分析这场贸易战对供应链的长期影响。
academicEconomists are analyzing the long-term impact of this trade war on supply chains.
希望他们能尽快坐下来谈，结束这场没完没了的贸易战。
informal discussionHopefully, they can sit down and talk soon to end this endless trade war.
这场旷日持久的贸易战，最终以双方达成协议而告一段落。
formalThis protracted trade war finally came to an end with an agreement reached by both sides.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
打响贸易战第一枪
fire the first shot in a trade war
贸易战的阴影
the shadow of a trade war
贸易战对全球经济的影响
the impact of a trade war on the global economy
Often Confused With
Trade friction refers to milder disagreements or disputes in trade, often resolvable through dialogue. A trade war involves more severe, retaliatory measures like tariffs and sanctions.
Economic sanctions are broader and can encompass various measures (financial, travel bans) often used for political reasons. A trade war specifically focuses on trade-related restrictions and tariffs.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term 'trade war' is generally used in formal contexts like news reporting, economic analysis, and political discussions. It implies a serious conflict with significant economic consequences. Avoid using it in casual conversation unless discussing current events.
Common Mistakes
Confusing 'trade war' with simple 'trade friction' or 'trade disputes'. A trade war implies active imposition of tariffs and restrictions, not just disagreements. Ensure context clearly indicates retaliatory measures.
Tips
Understand Tariffs and Trade Barriers
A trade war often involves tariffs (taxes on imports) and other barriers like quotas. These increase costs and limit trade flow.
Economic Uncertainty
Trade wars create uncertainty, potentially harming investment and economic growth for all involved countries.
National Interests vs. Global Cooperation
Trade wars highlight the tension between pursuing national economic interests and maintaining global trade cooperation.
Word Origin
The term 'trade war' emerged to describe conflicts where nations use trade policies as weapons. It's a direct translation of the concept of war applied to international commerce.
Cultural Context
Trade wars often reflect underlying geopolitical tensions and nationalistic sentiments. They can be seen as a manifestation of countries prioritizing their own economic interests, sometimes at the expense of global stability.
Memory Tip
Imagine two countries fighting with 'trade' goods, like throwing tariffs at each other. This 'war' impacts everyone's shopping.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions贸易战可能导致进口商品价格上涨，因为关税会转嫁到消费者身上。同时，国内产业可能因缺乏竞争而导致产品价格也随之上升，或者产品选择性减少。
国家发动贸易战通常是为了纠正贸易逆差、保护本国产业免受不公平竞争、回应对方的贸易壁垒，或作为一种政治施压手段。
贸易摩擦是指两国间在贸易方面存在的、相对轻微的分歧和争论，通常可以通过对话解决。而贸易战则是一种更激烈的对抗，涉及双方采取实际的限制性贸易措施，如征收高额关税。
结束贸易战通常需要双方通过谈判达成协议，比如互相取消或降低关税、解决争端根源问题，并建立新的贸易规则或框架。
Test Yourself
美国和中国之间爆发了激烈的_______，双方互相加征了高额关税。
句意描述的是国家间因贸易问题采取对抗措施，互相加征关税，符合“贸易战”的定义。
持续的贸易战可能导致：
贸易战通常导致进口商品价格上升，进而影响消费者的购买力。
打响 / 贸易战 / 关税 / 升级
这个选项逻辑清晰，描述了贸易战的开始和随之而来的关税升级。
Score: /3
Summary
A trade war is a severe economic conflict between nations characterized by retaliatory trade barriers.
- Countries imposing tariffs and restrictions on each other.
- Economic conflict impacting global trade and markets.
- Often involves negotiations to de-escalate tensions.
Understand Tariffs and Trade Barriers
A trade war often involves tariffs (taxes on imports) and other barriers like quotas. These increase costs and limit trade flow.
Economic Uncertainty
Trade wars create uncertainty, potentially harming investment and economic growth for all involved countries.
National Interests vs. Global Cooperation
Trade wars highlight the tension between pursuing national economic interests and maintaining global trade cooperation.
Examples
4 of 4两国之间的贸易战给全球经济带来了不确定性。
The trade war between the two countries has brought uncertainty to the global economy.
经济学家们正在分析这场贸易战对供应链的长期影响。
Economists are analyzing the long-term impact of this trade war on supply chains.
希望他们能尽快坐下来谈，结束这场没完没了的贸易战。
Hopefully, they can sit down and talk soon to end this endless trade war.
这场旷日持久的贸易战，最终以双方达成协议而告一段落。
This protracted trade war finally came to an end with an agreement reached by both sides.
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