从通行费到战略牌：全球关税的历史与未来｜金融人文

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the historical evolution of tariffs as a significant policy tool in international trade, emphasizing their role in shaping economic strategies and national interests throughout different historical periods [3]. Group 1: Early Forms of Tariffs - Tariffs originated as "tolls" paid at city gates, ferry crossings, or ports, with minimal impact on national revenue, primarily supported by land and head taxes [5]. - The Age of Exploration marked a turning point, where tariffs transitioned from local fees to a central tool for national fiscal and economic policy due to the rise of international trade [5]. Group 2: Mercantilism and Tariffs - During the early stages of capitalism, European nations adopted mercantilist policies, imposing high tariffs on imports to protect domestic industries and promote exports, aiming to accumulate gold and silver [6]. - A notable example is the UK, where tariff revenues increased approximately 3.5 times from 1700 to 1800, consistently accounting for over 20% of central government revenue [6]. Group 3: Divergence of Trade Policies in the 19th Century - The 19th century saw a split between free trade and protectionism, with industrialized nations like the UK advocating for lower tariffs to expand markets for manufactured goods [6]. - In contrast, emerging industrial nations such as the US and Germany implemented high tariffs to protect nascent industries from British competition, highlighting the contrasting trade strategies of the time [6].