Trade War and Deterrence

The day after Talleyrand left for Russia to attend Potemkin's funeral.

Second floor of the Tuileries Palace.

Joseph frowned at the grave-faced Brienne and Mirabeau, then finally turned his gaze to Minister of Trade Bayei. "So, which countries support Salzburg's proposal?"

Bayei drew a breath. "At present, aside from Baden, which has sent someone to seek our opinion and has yet to state its position, all the other signatories should support holding a vote on the United Kingdom joining the Rhine-Seine River Treaty."

Brienne said indignantly, "The United Kingdom has no need whatsoever to join a trade agreement between France and Germany. Someone is clearly pulling strings behind the scenes."

With the United Kingdom's colonial scale and industrial capacity, why would it be willing to open its own markets to these small South German States? Were they doing good deeds out of the kindness of their hearts?

Bayei nodded. "My judgment is that the South German States wish to raise other demands during the negotiations. In fact, Bavaria and Salzburg had repeatedly requested that tariff rates be renegotiated before, but we refused them every time."

Mirabeau said, "Your Highness, large-scale protests by workshop owners have erupted throughout the South German States recently. They are mainly directed at competition from our country."

"Over the past two years, under pressure from our products, they have been losing their markets in large quantities."

Bayei said worriedly, "Judging by the current trend, if a vote is held, the countries supporting the United Kingdom's entry will hold an overwhelming majority."

The room fell silent for a moment. Brienne said somewhat hesitantly, "Your Highness, perhaps we could negotiate with Austria and Bavaria in advance and agree to let them raise their tariffs appropriately."

"As long as those two countries oppose it, the United Kingdom's entry into