In 1982, the surprising battle of magnetoscopes – L’Express

In 1982 the surprising battle of magnetoscopes LExpress

New customs duties Against China, rising taxes on certain European products, negotiations with Canada and Mexico … to make its economic greatness to America, Donald Trump Account for paying your business partners to pay … but also using the tariff tool to impose its diplomatic choices. A method that is not new. In this series, we are interested in past trade wars, from which we could learn some lessons for today, with Sébastien Jean, professor of economics at the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts.

Episode 3: The battle of VCRs in Poitiers

You have now understood, customs duties can be directed against countries in particular, for economic but also diplomatic reasons.

But taxes can also concern a specific product. Donald Trump, for example, has made customs duties on steel and aluminum a priority.

Read also: Customs duties: the reality of figures behind the threats of Donald Trump against Europe

25 % on imported steel and aluminum from any country, without exception. And according to the President of the United States, that also you have normally understood at this stage of our series, the objective is to protect American production.

Safeguarding a national industry, with import taxes, is also what France did in the 80s, with a product this time a little more surprising.

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Listen to this episode and subscribe to the magnifying glass on Apple Podcasts,, Spotify,, Deezer,, Podcast Addict And Amazon Music. You can also leave us comments or write to us on the email address [email protected].

“The art of trade war” is an original series of the magnifying glass, the daily podcast of L’Express, written and presented by Charlotte Baris, mounted by Solène Alifat, produced by Quentin Bresson and Jules Krot.

Credits : CBS, DW News, Ina

Music and dressing: Emmanuel Herschon/Studio Torrent

Logo: Jérémy Cambour

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To go further:

China – United States, confrontation: Xi Jinping’s plan to deal with Donald Trump’s return

Pharmaceutical sovereignty: “It is imperative to build a real medicine ‘”

Customs duties: why Donald Trump targets steel and aluminum

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