It began with a simple question from Siri, my daughter, as she held up a toy she’d seen in a shop window: “Appa, why don’t we buy this anymore? It used to be everywhere.” I paused. The toy was from a brand known for its bright colors and clever design—one of many products that had quietly vanished from shelves after a wave of boycott calls and import restrictions. But how do you explain geopolitics to a child? Or the difference between emotional protest and economic policy? So I told her a story. 🧵 Threads of Protest: The Consumer’s Dilemma In recent years, calls to boycott foreign goods—especially from China and the US—have echoed across social media, news debates, and dinner tables. These movements often surge during moments of national tension, fueled by emotion and patriotism. But in the quiet aisles of local stores, reality plays out differently. A mother chooses a Chinese-made mixer because it fits her budget. A student downloads an American app to attend online classes...