Can economic sanctions really stop wars?

If you hit Russia with heavy tariffs and sanctions, you'll stop wars, right? Like, punish any country trading with Russia! That's the way to go.

Does that really work though? Or does it just create bigger divides? People will always buy cheaper, so sanctions could backfire.

Exactly! If you slap an 80% tariff on China, who do you think suffers? Us. Prices will skyrocket, and then they'll strike back. Not to mention they’ll find new trading partners.

But look at Russia. They've been hit with sanctions but still found a way to sell gas to Europe through other countries. Seems like sanctions aren't always effective.

The West can survive without China... but only if they can produce those goods cheaply themselves. Otherwise, they’re just digging a bigger hole.

True, but if countries like Russia decide they don’t need us anymore, they can just trade with allies. High tariffs might push them to form new alliances.

That’s how wars start! More tariffs won’t bring peace. India was super friendly with the US until they decided to raise tariffs. Now they’re cozying up to Putin. Classic mistake.

Sanctions are a tool, sure, but not the only one. They often backfire. The world is complex; you can’t just throw sanctions around and expect peace.