There are lots of advantages to the global economy because international trade is needed for a viable world economy. We import lots of needed things and a huge pile of junk we could do without.

            The huge problem with a global economy is how easy a country can be blackmailed or extorted. Take the Ukraine as a current example. Russia is the prime supplier for natural gas for Germany and much of Europe. If Russia invades Ukraine, can we move enough LNG in tankers to make up for Russia cutting off supplies? Of course Russia could quit selling oil driving the cost up to prices never seen before.

            Let’s say we have a problem with China invading Taiwan where much of the world’s computer chips are made. Imagine no cars, refrigerators, or any other high tech devices needing a chip. In a few years new chip plants here will make America self sufficient in chips. Very rare earths we never heard of are used to make steel and aluminum better and many other things usable. We can’t do without those earths now or in the future.

            Among the things both countries need from us is food. Our farmers supply millions of tons of grain and meat which would be very difficult to replace.  China’s economy would be destroyed even more than ours since whole regions are based on exporting things to America.

            Conflicts occurring within a global economy are a two-edged sword. Both get hurt badly.