Lord Lansdowne treats tariff wars as a 'big revolver' that can apply pressure without starting a shooting war. The approach protects imperial trade, though it can also create problems over time. Britain's advantage lies in providing much of the merchant shipping that carries international trade. The estimates given here are roughly 75 percent under British ownership and about 90 percent when British-chartered ships are included, leaving limited routes around British restrictions. Japan offers a different advantage in East Asia: it can react immediately to Russian pressure while reinforcements travel from Britain. Existing arms purchases and naval cooperation make that local partnership practical.
Chapter · 24:55-28:30
Lansdowne combines trade power with a local ally
Britain's merchant shipping gives Lansdowne's tariff policy force, while Japan supplies the rapid local response that distant British reinforcements cannot.