America's favorite condiment has a surprising history — and it's not all that American
- Countries often propose tariffs on the products most iconic of national character.
- In retaliation for US steel tariffs, the EU slapped tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Kentucky bourbon, and Levi's jeans.
- Now ketchup is the next 'American' product targeted by both the EU and Canada.
- But ketchup's origins are anything but American — China was likely the original source of the condiment.
- Heinz, the American company perhaps most associated with ketchup, didn't start selling it until 1876.
Trade wars have an interesting way of revealing cultural stereotypes.
Countries often propose tariffs not on the most valuable items in their trading relationships — since that would be painful to them as well — but rather products iconic of national character. A good example of this came in the European Union's retaliation against US steel tariffs. Among the $3.3 billion in goods it slapped a tariff on in May were Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Kentucky bourbon and Levi's jeans.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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