Weaponized Economy: The Hidden History of Trade Wars and Their Impact on Global Politics

**When Nations Wage War Without Firing a Shot: The Hidden History of Economic Warfare** From Napoleon's Continental Blockade to the US-China trade war, economic sanctions have often proven more devastating than military conflict. "Weaponized Economy" reveals how nations throughout history have transformed trade into a powerful weapon of geopolitical influence. In this meticulously researched analysis, acclaimed economic analyst Michael Rodriguez examines the most consequential trade wars and sanctions regimes that have shaped global politics: - How Britain's opium strategy against China created a "Century of Humiliation" that still influences Chinese policy today - Why the Smoot-Hawley Tariff deepened the Great Depression and contributed to the outbreak of World War II - How the Cold War technology embargo ultimately led to the Soviet Union's collapse - The effectiveness of modern sanctions against North Korea, Iran, and Russia - What the escalating US-China economic conflict means for the future of global trade Rodriguez draws powerful parallels between historical precedents and current geopolitical tensions, demonstrating how economic weapons have evolved from simple tariffs to sophisticated financial sanctions, technology controls, and digital warfare. Readers will discover the psychological dimensions of trade wars, the unintended consequences of economic pressure, and emerging battlegrounds from central bank digital currencies to rare earth minerals and space resources. "Weaponized Economy" provides business leaders, investors, and informed citizens with crucial insights into how economic warfare reshapes international relations, disrupts global markets, and creates both risks and opportunities in our increasingly fractured world order. This timely analysis is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the hidden economic forces that often precede and reshape military conflicts—and how today's trade tensions may determine tomorrow's balance of power.