Why Politicians Lie About Trade... and What You Need to Know About It

A former diplomat explains how international trade in goods and services actually works – and the deals nations must do and the compromises they must make to take part. 'It's great' says The Financial Times

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'This could be the funniest business book you'll read all year.' Australian Financial Review

'If you want a two-word review – it’s great.' Financial Times

Why Politicians Lie About Trade reveals how international trade really works and the compromises and deals nations must make to take part in the greatest commercial show on earth.

With clear writing and lively case studies, a former trade negotiator takes readers on an often humorous tour of the shadowy workings of the agreements, tariffs, taxes and disputes that characterise this $32 trillion-a-year machine.

Dmitry Grozoubinski reveals the underlying political and geographical forces that shape the impact of trade on topics as diverse and important as food, jobs, gender, conflict and climate change. And he reveals what politicians cover up about the system – and why it matters.

Why Politicians Lie About Trade lights up a little-understood network that runs our world with brevity and humour.It contains everything you need to know about international trade and is an ideal companion to titles which explain commerce such as the Undercover Economist, Taxtopia and Freakonomics.

This book has been enthusiastically recommended by serious publications such as the Financial Times and the World Trade Review and popular authors such as Ian Dunt and James O'Brien. Ian Dunt wrote: 'I laughed more than I do in most comedies. I learned more than I do from the news.'

Reviews

'For some time, there has been a clear gap in the market for a guide to trade policy to help those with an interest to gain a better understanding of this important field and enable them to engage more actively in trade policy debates. Dmitry Grozoubinski’s Why Politicians Lie About Trade fits the bill admirably.' Justin Brown, the Lowy Institute

'An absolute masterclass in how to communicate complex information simply and compellingly. You will come out of it far more knowledgeable than you went in, and shielded from some of the more egregious deceit politicians want to inflict on you. You'll also laugh out loud.' Ian Dunt, author of How Westminster Works

'Enraging & enlightening in equal measure. And the measure is absolutely enormous.' James O'Brien, author of How They Broke Britain

'Written by a former trade negotiator who has trained many British diplomats, this book is authoritative, yet – and here’s the strange part – actually fun to read. Dmitry Grozoubinski has a rare knack for explaining complex information in an accessible and light-hearted way.' Richard Baldwin, Professor of International Economics

'Writing a 300-page book on international trade policy issues in a way that is not only accessible but also entertaining would be a serious challenge for most authors. Dmitry Grozoubinski’s new book rises to that challenge.' Chris Horseman, Bordelex

'If you want a two-word review, it’s great. It describes official myths and distortions, from overselling trade deals to claiming distance no longer matters in trade to saying corporations control the world by infiltrating the WTO.' Alan Beattie, Financial Times

'Much of the book’s strength lies in its language. It largely avoids technical and academic-style terminology, and the content is presented with a wry and sometimes mischievous sense of humour. This approach makes even the most arcane and obscure parts of the book engaging.' Justin Brown, the Lowy Institute

Introduction

I am very sorry. I once led a trade negotiation so impenetrably dull and infuriating my boss said our top priority was to ensure he never had to explain it to our trade minister. I am fully aware the average human being would rather eat a broken glass salad than read about the small print of a World Trade Organization tariff schedule. I get it. Unfortunately, trade is important and important people keep lying to us about it. In fact, the very fact that important people lie to us about it proves its importance, and its importance is probably what compels those people – let’s call them politicians, though that does leave some liars out – to lie about it.

As technology speeds up the global flow of goods, services, money and ideas, trade policy is growing in importance. Growing, too, is the role of trade in politics, where it is increasingly used as a bludgeon to batter the opposition, or as a magical unicorn that can be ridden to peace and prosperity at no cost to any voter. Tragically, the truth of all this is that while you may have chosen to take little interest in trade policy, trade policy is increasingly taking an interest in you. In the 2020s, trade touches on almost every aspect of our lives and almost all of our passions. Understanding this web of trading connections and the debate over how governments should organise it may no longer be optional.

The good news is that participation in the public debate on trade’s contribution to the things you care about (such as, say, your industry, business, wealth, food, health and our air, rivers and climate) doesn’t require you to be a tenured professor of international economics or to have adopted a favourite treaty footnote.

Instead, to have a working idea of international trade and its critical role in your life and in the affairs of your nation, you need only an awareness of the general shape of matters:



How do things work?


Who are the players?


What are the competing interests?

What questions should I be asking?


So while you don’t need to know the details, you need to know that there are details, and how they could be important. That shields you from opportunistic politicians relying on the density of the subject matter to peddle easy answers, simple narratives and misleading twaddle. Moreover, it can also equip you with the right questions to puncture the inflated rhetoric of political chancers. That’s what I hope to achieve with this book.

I’m still sorry, though.

Carry on reading and buy the book