China and the United States are squaring off in a blow-for-blow trade battle. In March, the Trump administration imposed U.S. tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum. China responded in kind with its own round of tariffs on U.S. imported goods, with a heavy focus on agricultural goods such as American made nuts and wine. On April 3, the Trump administration announced a widely anticipated second round of tariffs, which are estimated to total $50 billion annually. These new tariffs cover an array of Chinese products with a pointed emphasis on electronics such as televisions and medical devices. Within 24 hours, China hit back with its own second wave of tariffs directed to 106 U.S. products including soybeans, cars and whiskey, which perhaps not so coincidentally are estimated at about $50 billion annually.

Critics of the Trump administration question the wisdom of instigating a trade war with China. Their concerns are fair. Trade wars are generally a lose-lose scenario, with consumers coming out the worst. China is also a critical partner in international relations, particularly with respect to stabilizing the threat of conflict with North Korea. And of course, Chinese lenders hold over $1 trillion in U.S. debt with no immediate end in sight to the growing deficit. So what could be worth picking this fight with China?