Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'd definitely agree that trade at gunpoint is on the same spectrum as war. I can see how you get from there to all protectionism being on that spectrum too. Short of eliminating national borders, I don't see how this would go away.
All trade protectionism by heavily armed players who regularly use force is on that spectrum. It would be almost impossible for the US or the UK to engage in protectionist trade practices that are not backed by some kind of military threat. The idea that protectionism is a major factor in war has long been around; Frederic Bastiat - "When goods don’t cross borders, soldiers will" (possibly not him, but commonly attri…
Just to be clear - you do get that I agreed with you in my previous comment? I even went as far as to mildly echo Sayre's comment about economic nationalism.
Having said that, these quotes are good to see.