Photo by Robinson Greig on UnsplashIn a world where global trade tensions escalate rapidly, tariff wars often become weapons of economic warfare. Nations raise import taxes in retaliation, businesses suffer, consumers pay more, and political relationships strain. But amid the cold calculations of trade deficits and export quotas, a subtler, more humanising force can intervene: Art. While it may seem far removed from steel imports and soybean exports, art holds unexpected potential to offset the impacts of tariff wars. Through economic, cultural, and diplomatic pathways, art can be wielded as a tool of resilience, resistance, and reconciliation.
Art as an Economic Cushion
At its core, a tariff war is about economics. Tariffs disrupt traditional markets, raise prices, and restrict flows of goods between countries. But art is a sector that, in many cases, operates outside traditional economic frameworks. Art objects, exhibitions, and cultural experiences are often exempt from standard tariffs—or are treated differently due to their cultural importance.
Countries can leverage this by increasing the export and import of cultural goods, such as visual art, music, film, and literature. For example, during U.S.-China trade tensions in the late 2010s, while many commercial goods were caught in escalating tariffs, artworks continued to move across borders with fewer restrictions. This allowed galleries and museums to maintain relationships, even when broader trade sectors struggled.
Soft Power in a Hard World
Tariff wars don't just damage economies—they also erode trust. Art offers a powerful tool of soft power—a way to influence and build goodwill without economic pressure.
Exchanges of art and culture between nations can help de-escalate tensions. Museum exhibitions, cultural festivals, or artist residencies can keep channels of communication open when official dialogue breaks down. These programs build people-to-people relationships that outlast political disagreements. Art can challenge stereotypes, humanise the "other side," and offer shared narratives that promote empathy.
A notable example comes from the Cold War, when the U.S. and the Soviet Union regularly engaged in cultural diplomacy. Despite profound ideological differences, both nations sent orchestras, ballets, and visual art exhibitions across borders. These exchanges didn’t end the Cold War, but they played a role in maintaining civil contact, reducing hostility, and fostering a climate where a pathway through the distrust could slowly be navigated.
A Message in Every Medium
When economic policies become oppressive or irrational, artists can reflect public sentiment and bring attention to the social and human cost of trade conflict. Street murals, political cartoons, performance pieces, and satirical installations can go viral—drawing attention not just locally, but globally.
This visibility can add pressure upon policymakers to reconsider combative trade practices. Artists and cultural leaders have platforms that politicians sometimes lack—they can connect with young audiences, frame complex issues through emotion and narrative, and mobilise movements faster than traditional institutions. Let us turn to hope is often heard! Unsurprisingly, Banksy’s Girl with Balloon has come to the attention of many global collectors at this time. For further information to buy a Banksy painting or print please contact Andipa.
Art Markets as Global Bridges
The art market is inherently international. Major auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s operate across borders, and collectors often invest in art from cultures different from their own. This ecosystem depends on global cooperation, not conflict. When countries engage in tariff wars, the health of this market becomes a barometer of broader relations.
To offset trade conflicts, governments and private institutions can work to protect art market flows by designating them as essential or exempt sectors. This encourages continued collaboration between collectors, curators, and institutions, which can later translate into economic and political dialogue.
Art may not eliminate a tariff war, but it has a role to play where it can transform its impact. Through economic diversification, soft power, creative diplomacy, and market bridges, the arts provide a counterweight to the adversarial logic of tariffs. In times of trade conflict, it’s tempting to turn inward and view others as opponents. But art reminds us of shared humanity. It challenges narratives of separation and promotes stories of connection.
