China Quote by James A. Michener
““The criminals at the North make us sell our wheat and cotton to Europe at cheap prices, but will not permit us to buy our manufactures cheaply from England. No, they pass a high tariff, keep out cheap European products and force us to buy from Massachusetts and New York at extremely high prices.””
About This Quote
Source Historical Novel: The Fires of Spring, James A. Michener, 1972
Protectionist tariffs force colonies to sell cheap raw goods while buying expensive manufactures, creating economic imbalance.
In simple terms: Tariffs hurt local economies by limiting cheap imports.
Key Takeaway
Advocate fair trade and balanced policies.
Themes
economics
trade
tariffs
colonialism
inequality
Mood
analytical
critical
informative
Type
historical
economic
political
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- government policy
- consumer advocacy
- academic study
Key Concepts
mercantilism
economic exploitation
policy analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- Are tariffs always harmful?
- How can fair trade be achieved?
A Different Perspective
Tariffs can also protect domestic jobs; context is complex.
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