“Given that I don’t like the word ‘hate’, it’s not my language, I want to remind everyone that we protect our merchant ships ourselves, with our Navy that has shot down several drones launched by the Houthis against us”
Italian Foreign Minister - Antonio Tajani
Just an interesting point that “Free trade” isn’t. There’s always externalities, like a frienly nation-state military making sure your markets remain open.
Always have been.
Why do the US covet Panama? Why did the UK try to reinvade Suez in the 50s? Why does China want to make a “Belt and Road” going across Asia?