Part 12/13:
The paradox was clear: the same government that sought to dominate Western markets through subsidized cheap goods ended up paying Western companies to sustain its own agricultural productivity. The reverse—importing Western machinery—highlighted the inefficiencies of centralized planning and the superiority of market-driven innovation.
Conclusion: The Triumph of Market Systems
The Soviet attempt to win the "tractor war" ended in a defeat that served as a microcosm for the failures of the command economy. It was not merely about producing cheaper products but about understanding customer needs for quality, reliability, and ongoing support.