Trade as Soft Power: What We’re Giving Away

Beyond Economics

I’m no economist, but here’s a thought that doesn’t get enough serious attention: tariffs and trade deals aren’t just about economics. They are instruments of soft power that help shape the global order in subtle but lasting ways.

Too often, trade policy is framed in narrow terms like job protection, inflation control, or deficit reduction. What gets overlooked is how these policies create structural dependencies. When foreign economies rely on access to U.S. markets or operate within American-controlled supply chains, they are not simply engaging in commerce. They are entering a system influenced by U.S. priorities.

The Power of Economic Reliance

Economic reliance has consequences. A country that depends on American demand may adjust its foreign policy to maintain that access. It may vote differently in multilateral bodies or delay strategic alignments that could antagonize Washington. This influence does not require troops, treaties, or public announcements. It operates through a web of agreements, supply routes, and quiet understandings.

This form of soft power is often ignored in favor of flashier forms, but it is no less powerful. It is not about exporting culture or ideas. It is about exporting structure. When a nation’s economic foundation is built with American tools, American standards, and American timelines, that nation begins to orbit around U.S. interests almost by default.

Surrendering Strategic Leverage

None of this is new. The United States has long used trade to shape global dynamics. What is new is the speed with which we are abandoning that leverage. Short-term tariff battles and reactionary policies are replacing long-term thinking. Strategy is being swapped for stunts.

Other powers are not making the same mistake. China continues to invest in infrastructure and market access, building durable influence in regions we increasingly neglect. The European Union writes its values directly into the language of its trade agreements. In contrast, the United States imposes tariffs, claims short-term victories, and moves on without a plan for what comes next.

A Call for Intentional Trade Policy

Trade remains one of our most effective tools for shaping global outcomes, but only if we treat it with intention. If we continue to use it as a political prop instead of a strategic instrument, we will keep surrendering influence quietly and, eventually, permanently.