👉 The term "tariff-infection" is not a standard economic or public health term, but it can be understood as a metaphorical concept that draws parallels between trade policies and the spread of diseases. In this context, a tariff (a tax imposed on imported goods) can act like a barrier to trade, but it also has the potential to create conditions similar to those that allow diseases to spread. Just as pathogens can infect new hosts through trade routes, tariffs can inadvertently facilitate the spread of harmful goods, services, or even ideas across borders, especially if regulations are lax or if there's insufficient oversight. This "infection" occurs when the barriers created by tariffs lead to inefficiencies, reduced competition, and potentially the importation of substandard or unsafe products, thereby posing risks to public health, economic stability, and national security.
