Part 5/8:
Understanding the roots of the current trade situation reveals decades of policy decisions that overlook strict negotiations over trade fairness. In the wake of World War II, the U.S. emerged as a global leader, actively participating in rebuilding efforts in Japan and Germany, relying on generous trade policies that allowed these nations to re-establish themselves. Over time, this attitude evolved into laissez-faire approaches where American leaders refrained from demanding equal treatment in trade, complacently believing that Americans were doing well enough on their own.