178, Chen Sang, we are in big trouble!_2
However...
Both officials had not anticipated why they should halt imports from Japan effective immediately.
For America, Japan was merely one of its many vassal states, a relatively large son at that. Even if Japan dared to protest, there was Korea in Asia as well.
Let these two sons compete with each other.
But if they abruptly stopped importing fish, oil, and natural gas from Japan, it would inevitably lead to a scarcity of these items at home.
Scarcity begets value, and essential goods would certainly see a price increase.
Take oil prices, for instance, they could very likely see a surge of thirty or even fifty percent in a short period.
The oil companies, whether they have ample reserves or not, would surely not pass up this opportunity for a justified price hike. Who would say no to reaping profits?
However, for the newly appointed Duke, a price increase in these necessities would inevitably lead to public discontent or, in other words, a drop in his approval ratings.