India, Aug. 31 -- I have always wondered what causes our society to forget the lessons learned during trying times. Those hurt by US President Donald Trump's tariff tantrums should remember the Covid-19 pandemic. The US, along with most rich nations, erected regulatory walls to hoard life-saving drugs and vaccines for the exclusive use of their citizens.

Remember, it is the same US that once termed the world a "global village", on the lines of the Indian concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), though with questionable intent. While our ancients were moved by the altruistic vision of the world sharing whatever there was, then US president, Bill Clinton, who had popularised the concept of global village, was interested ...