====== màoyìzhàn: 贸易战 - Trade War ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** 贸易战, maoyizhan, China trade war, US-China trade war, what is a trade war in Chinese, 贸易, 战争, tariffs, protectionism, economic conflict, US China relations.
  * **Summary:** The Chinese term **贸易战 (màoyìzhàn)** literally translates to "trade war" and refers to an intense economic conflict between countries using tariffs and other trade barriers. This term gained global prominence during the US-China trade war, becoming a key phrase in news, politics, and business. Understanding 贸易战 is essential for anyone following modern Chinese economics and international relations, as it captures the high-stakes nature of global economic competition.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** màoyìzhàn
  * **Part of Speech:** Noun
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 6
  * **Concise Definition:** A "trade war," an economic conflict where countries impose retaliatory tariffs and other barriers on each other's goods.
  * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine a war, but instead of soldiers and guns, the weapons are taxes (tariffs) and restrictions on buying and selling goods. That's a **贸易战**. The term is a very direct and powerful combination of "trade" (贸易) and "war" (战). It's used in serious contexts, like news reports and political discussions, to describe a major, escalating economic dispute between nations that can harm both economies.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **贸 (mào):** This character means "trade" or "commerce." It's a key component in words related to business and economics, like `贸易` (trade) and `外贸` (foreign trade).
  * **易 (yì):** This character can mean "easy" or "change/exchange." In this context, it means "exchange." When combined, **贸易 (màoyì)** means the "commercial exchange" of goods, or simply "trade."
  * **战 (zhàn):** This character means "war," "battle," or "fight." It's a very strong and unambiguous character found in words like `战争` (warfare) and `挑战` (challenge).
  * The word **贸易战 (màoyìzhàn)** is a perfect example of a literal compound word in Chinese. It takes the concept of `贸易` (trade) and adds the character `战` (war) to create a vivid and powerful image of an economic battle.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
  * **The Rise of a Keyword:** While the term isn't new, **贸易战 (màoyìzhàn)** exploded into everyday vocabulary in China and across the world around 2018 with the escalation of US-China trade tensions. It became a fixture in state media headlines, social media discussions, and business reports.
  * **Nationalism and Resilience:** In official Chinese media, the narrative surrounding the **贸易战** often emphasizes national resilience and sovereignty. It's frequently framed not just as an economic dispute, but as a defense of China's right to develop and a resistance against foreign pressure. This framing taps into deeper historical narratives, particularly the "century of humiliation" (百年国耻), positioning China as now strong enough to stand its ground.
  * **West vs. China - A Difference in Tone:** In English, "trade war" is a serious term, but it can sometimes be used more loosely in political commentary. In Chinese, especially in official contexts, the use of **贸易战** feels more deliberate and weighty. The character **战 (zhàn)** carries a heavy historical and cultural significance, evoking a sense of genuine conflict and a struggle with high stakes. While a Western report might speak of "trade disputes" or "tensions" (`贸易摩擦`), using **贸易战** signals that a critical line has been crossed into open economic hostility.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
  * **In the News:** This is the most common context. Headlines and news reports use it formally to describe state-level economic conflicts. (e.g., `中美贸易战最新消息` - Latest news on the Sino-US trade war).
  * **On Social Media:** Netizens on platforms like Weibo (微博) use **贸易战** to discuss the impact on their lives, share patriotic memes, or express concern over the economy. The tone can range from defiant and nationalistic to anxious.
  * **In Business:** Business owners and employees use the term to discuss very real challenges, such as disrupted supply chains (`供应链`), rising costs of imported materials, and the loss of export markets. It's a key term in any discussion about risk and strategy.
  * **Connotation and Formality:** The term is formal and carries a serious, negative connotation. It implies a "lose-lose" situation with significant economic fallout. It is not used for minor disagreements.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 中美**贸易战**对两国经济都造成了影响。
    * Pinyin: Zhōng Měi **màoyìzhàn** duì liǎng guó jīngjì dōu zàochéngle yǐngxiǎng.
    * English: The US-China trade war has had an impact on both countries' economies.
    * Analysis: A neutral, factual statement typical of a news report. The structure `对...造成了影响` (duì...zàochéngle yǐngxiǎng) means "had an impact on...".
  * **Example 2:**
    * 很多公司因为**贸易战**而改变了他们的供应链。
    * Pinyin: Hěnduō gōngsī yīnwèi **màoyìzhàn** ér gǎibiànle tāmen de gōngyìngliàn.
    * English: Many companies have changed their supply chains because of the trade war.
    * Analysis: This sentence highlights a practical consequence of a trade war. `因为...而...` (yīnwèi...ér...) is a common structure for showing cause and effect.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 这场**贸易战**到底什么时候才能结束？
    * Pinyin: Zhè chǎng **màoyìzhàn** dàodǐ shénme shíhòu cái néng jiéshù?
    * English: When on earth will this trade war finally end?
    * Analysis: The particle `到底` (dàodǐ) adds a sense of frustration or urgency, as if the speaker is exasperated. `场` (chǎng) is a measure word for events like wars or games.
  * **Example 4:**
    * **贸易战**没有赢家，只会两败俱伤。
    * Pinyin: **Màoyìzhàn** méiyǒu yíngjiā, zhǐ huì liǎngbàijùshāng.
    * English: There are no winners in a trade war; it only results in mutual destruction.
    * Analysis: This uses a common Chinese idiom, `两败俱伤` (liǎngbàijùshāng), which literally means "both sides are defeated and wounded." It's often used to argue against conflict.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 政府宣布了新的反制措施来应对**贸易战**。
    * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ xuānbùle xīn de fǎnzhì cuòshī lái yìngduì **màoyìzhàn**.
    * English: The government announced new countermeasures to respond to the trade war.
    * Analysis: This sentence introduces related vocabulary: `反制措施` (fǎnzhì cuòshī - countermeasures) and `应对` (yìngduì - to deal with, to respond to).
  * **Example 6:**
    * 我们不希望看到**贸易战**升级。
    * Pinyin: Wǒmen bù xīwàng kàndào **màoyìzhàn** shēngjí.
    * English: We do not wish to see an escalation of the trade war.
    * Analysis: `升级` (shēngjí) means "to escalate" or "to upgrade." It's used here to describe the worsening of the conflict.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 一些专家认为，**贸易战**的根本原因是保护主义抬头。
    * Pinyin: Yīxiē zhuānjiā rènwéi, **màoyìzhàn** de gēnběn yuányīn shì bǎohù zhǔyì táitóu.
    * English: Some experts believe the root cause of the trade war is the rise of protectionism.
    * Analysis: This connects the term to its underlying ideology, `保护主义` (bǎohù zhǔyì). `抬头` (táitóu) literally means "to raise one's head" and is used metaphorically to mean "to rise" or "to gain momentum."
  * **Example 8:**
    * 我担心**贸易战**会导致物价上涨。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ dānxīn **màoyìzhàn** huì dǎozhì wùjià shàngzhǎng.
    * English: I'm worried the trade war will lead to a rise in the price of goods.
    * Analysis: This shows how the concept affects an ordinary person. `导致` (dǎozhì) means "to lead to" or "to cause," often with negative results. `物价上涨` (wùjià shàngzhǎng) means "prices rise."
  * **Example 9:**
    * 挑起**贸易战**对任何国家都没有好处。
    * Pinyin: Tiǎoqǐ **màoyìzhàn** duì rènhé guójiā dōu méiyǒu hǎochu.
    * English: Starting a trade war is not good for any country.
    * Analysis: `挑起` (tiǎoqǐ) is a key verb meaning "to provoke" or "to stir up" a conflict.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 新闻媒体正在密切关注**贸易战**的最新发展。
    * Pinyin: Xīnwén méitǐ zhèngzài mìqiè guānzhù **màoyìzhàn** de zuìxīn fāzhǎn.
    * English: The news media is closely following the latest developments in the trade war.
    * Analysis: `密切关注` (mìqiè guānzhù) is a formal phrase meaning "to pay close attention to." `最新发展` (zuìxīn fāzhǎn) means "latest developments."
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Not a Physical War:** The biggest mistake for a beginner is to be confused by the character `战` (zhàn). **贸易战** is exclusively an economic conflict. There are no armies or physical battles involved. The "weapons" are tariffs, sanctions, and investment restrictions.
  * **Trade War vs. Trade Friction:** Do not use **贸易战** for a minor disagreement. For smaller-scale disputes, a much better term is `贸易摩擦` (màoyì mócā), which means "trade friction." Using **贸易战** for a small issue would be overly dramatic.
    * **Correct:** 两国之间存在一些贸易摩擦。(There is some trade friction between the two countries.)
    * **Incorrect/Exaggerated:** 两国之间有一点小小的贸易战。(There is a tiny little trade war between the two countries.) - This sounds strange and is an incorrect use of the term.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * `[[贸易摩擦]] (màoyì mócā)` - "Trade friction." A much milder term for trade disputes that haven't escalated to a full-blown "war."
  * `[[关税]] (guānshuì)` - "Tariff." The primary weapon used in a **贸易战**.
  * `[[保护主义]] (bǎohù zhǔyì)` - "Protectionism." The economic policy of restraining trade between countries to protect domestic industries, often the root cause of a **贸易战**.
  * `[[反制措施]] (fǎnzhì cuòshī)` - "Countermeasures." The retaliatory actions a country takes after another country imposes tariffs or sanctions.
  * `[[经济制裁]] (jīngjì zhìcái)` - "Economic sanctions." A broader term for penalties applied by one country to another, which can be a part of a **贸易战**.
  * `[[供应链]] (gōngyìngliàn)` - "Supply chain." The network of businesses involved in creating and distributing a product, which is often severely disrupted by a **贸易战**.
  * `[[双赢]] (shuāngyíng)` - "Win-win." A term often used in Chinese diplomacy to describe the ideal outcome of cooperation, representing the opposite of the "lose-lose" result of a **贸易战**.
  * `[[脱钩]] (tuōgōu)` - "Decoupling." The process of economies separating or becoming less interdependent, a potential long-term consequence of a protracted **贸易战**.