Launching, under the guise of national security, an economic attack on trading partners risks undermining trust in the US, a nation that has been robust in its support for trade, and is a vocal champion of the rule of law. Yet this same nation contends it is justified in breaking supposedly binding agreements. The European Union and Canada are already threatening retaliation.

The move is not only economically reckless; it's also strategically curious. America risks diminishing its standing at a historic time – China's rise from the human and economic catastrophe of its first decades of communism. The Chinese economy is on track to overtake that of the US as the world's biggest. It is emerging as a trading and military superpower. It adores a vacuum.

Free and fair trade has been embraced as the most mutually beneficial and effective way to conduct international commerce. With long and sinewy effort, Australia and many other nations, the US primary among them, have constructed agreements and markets. This has efficiently generated jobs and incomes.

This is not about ideology. Most nations embrace trade because they assess the abundant evidence and judge that free trade is enlightened self-interest.

To be sure, there must be laws and regulations to prohibit and punish fraud, exploitation and other criminality.

The Age supports free and fair markets. We believe the many trade deals successive Australian and US governments have negotiated throughout the world – with individual nations and with regions – have, on balance, benefited the people. Mates shouldn't mislead or mug each other. And they should call each other out for behaviour with potentially damaging consequences far beyond one nation's borders.