Trade Is Not a Four-Letter Word

More about the book

Trade enables us to sell domestically produced goods and buy what we lack, enhancing variety and innovation while lowering prices. However, understanding our role in the global trade network is complex, and many workers feel vulnerable to exploitation. Trade often serves as a scapegoat for economic struggles, viewed negatively by many Americans across the political spectrum. Fred P. Hochberg clarifies that trade is more comprehensible than it seems. Through examining NAFTA's contentious reputation and addressing concerns like the infamous $10 banana, he challenges the notion that "trade wars are good and easy to win," revealing they are not. Hochberg explores six everyday products—taco salad, Honda Odyssey, banana, iPhone, college degree, and HBO’s Game of Thrones—each with a unique narrative that illustrates trade's impact on our lives and its potential to foster a better future. This work counters the oversimplified trade jargon often presented to voters, encouraging readers to look deeper. With engaging examples and clear explanations, it dispels common misconceptions and equips readers with a solid understanding of trade fundamentals.