, Columnist
Just What We Need: More Trade-War Contagion
The export restrictions will continue until morale improves.
Samsung memory chips, new weapons in a spreading trade war that now involves Japan and South Korea.
Photographer: Bloomberg/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Trade-war fever is catching, and it’s going to make the whole world sick.
It may feel as if the U.S. and China have been at odds forever, but Japan and South Korea have been feuding for much, much longer. They rekindled their animosity this week, as Japan restricted imports of some South Korean materials used to make chips and smartphone components. As it happens, China is ready to step in and supply such parts, notes Tim Culpan. Japan and South Korea just gave their mutual rival a nice trade boost right when it needed one most, in other words.