Here is an essay written by a 6th-grade Chinese pupil I saw on my WeChat Moments posted by his father. It’s truly excellent.

Although it’s short and has some unclear expressions and grammar, the ideas this sixth-grade student expresses are much much more insightful than 99% of people in the world. I feel sincerely honoured to have translated this remarkable essay into English — I hope everyone can share it widely and help people around the world see what this child has written.

My Wish

The United States imposes high tariffs on all other countries. My wish about this is that all countries could have a zero-tariff policy with each other. After the U.S. imposed high tariffs, the economies of many countries suffered badly — including the U.S. itself.

Many foreign companies in America couldn’t make money because of the tariffs, and they went bankrupt. Some American companies need to buy materials from other countries. But because foreign companies either shut down or sold products at sky-high prices, many American companies also went out of business.

As a result, prices rose like crazy. How many people lost their jobs? How many companies went bankrupt? How much suffering did the people go through — all because of one decision by the U.S. government.

Not only the U.S., a few years ago, China opened up trade with countries that produce lots of fruit and lowered the tariffs. That made the price of cherries drop from sky-high to a normal price.

This made me think for a long time, and I finally understood that lowering tariffs is good for both sides. It helps foreign countries earn money and lets people in our country buy cheaper products.

So I believe that if all countries follow a zero-tariff policy, the world economy will grow rapidly in the near future. If I say this, and others notice it too, and they also speak up — then more and more people will realize the problem and believe it. When countries see that so many people are against high tariffs, they might change the laws and improve people’s lives.

This is my wish: for the U.S. to correct its mistake. Let’s spread the word together!

(The End)

Here is the original text in Chinese as reference.

I hope the principles of the free market will spread to every corner of the world.