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In any possible scenario, be it quality, quantity, and so on, there has to be some advantage of some kind for the trade to happen in the first place.

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of course, It can be cheaper to import foreign goods than making them at home. Thats almost always the case with trade deficits.

That is beside the point of what the long term consequences of running a trade deficit are, if they are sustainable, and how currency exchange impacts these factors.

Why do you think it’s besides the point?

China can produce most things cheaper than anyone. Economically, it's pointless to compete with them. However, if too many think the same, you get bottlenecked and compete for access to the supply, which raises prices. You bevome also politically subservient to China.

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