How to Win a Trade War: Book Launch and Discussion with Bown and Keynes

Why It Matters

Understanding the mechanics of modern trade wars equips companies and governments to protect supply chains, preserve market access, and maintain competitive advantage in critical sectors like AI and rare‑earths.

Key Takeaways

• New book "How to Win a Trade War" released
• Authors Bown and Keynes analyze US-China trade tensions
• Event features WSJ’s Greg Ip discussing policy implications
• Focus on supply-chain risks, subsidies, and strategic stockpiles
• Guidance aimed at governments and firms navigating tariffs

Pulse Analysis

Trade wars have moved from episodic disputes to a persistent strategic tool, reshaping how nations safeguard economic security. Recent U.S. tariff announcements and China’s export controls on rare earths and advanced chips illustrate the high‑stakes environment that businesses now confront. In this context, *How to Win a Trade War* arrives as a timely roadmap, drawing on decades of economic research to decode the incentives behind protectionist measures and to propose proactive defenses for vulnerable industries.

Chad P. Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute, and Soumaya Keynes, a Financial Times columnist, combine academic rigor with policy experience to dissect the trade conflict between the United States and China. Their analysis spans historical case studies, from the 1970s oil shocks to the 2018 steel tariffs, highlighting patterns in government responses such as stockpiling critical inputs, subsidizing domestic production, and leveraging strategic alliances. The book also examines how emerging technologies—particularly artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing—are becoming new battlegrounds, where control over supply chains can dictate long‑term geopolitical influence.

For executives and strategists, the discussion hosted by the Peterson Institute offers concrete takeaways: assess supply‑chain exposure, diversify sourcing, and engage in scenario planning that incorporates potential tariff escalations. Policymakers can use the authors’ recommendations to craft balanced trade policies that protect national interests without triggering retaliatory spirals. By translating complex trade theory into actionable guidance, the event and the book together help stakeholders anticipate disruptions, safeguard revenue streams, and position their firms for resilience in an increasingly contested global market.