No Trade Is Free

Changing Course, Taking on China, and Helping America's Workers

By: Robert Lighthizer

Narrated by: Charles Constant

America is the first country in history to fund the rise of its rivals. We need to stop now, before it’s too late.

One of the most consequential U.S. Trade Representatives in our history, Robert Lighthizer led a great reset of American trade policy that has endured across Administrations. For more than 40 years, he litigated, negotiated, and editorialized against the failed policies of one-sided free trade as part of both the Reagan and Trump administrations and as a private lawyer. As Trade Representative, he fought against globalists, importers, lobbyists, foreign governments and big businesses whose interests diverged from those of the American workers.

For decades, unbalanced “free” trade was the preferred option for the most powerful in Washington, and millions of ordinary Americans paid the price. Instead of prioritizing healthy American communities, good jobs, higher wages, and a promising future for our workers, Washington too often cared more about corporate profits, cheap imports and the concerns of foreign governments, including the Chinese. In return, we got cheaper coffee makers and tee shirts, while thousands of factories closed, wages stagnated, communities deteriorated, economic inequality rose in our country, and we racked up trillions of dollars in trade deficits.

Part memoir, part history, and part policy analysis, No Trade is Free tells the story of how America found itself at this point and how the Trump administration took on the orthodoxy of the trade establishment, with astonishing results. With in-depth character sketches of some of the most important leaders of our time—from Donald Trump, to Xi Jinping, to Nancy Pelosi, to Andrés Manuel López Obrador—Lighthizer explains how trade negotiations actually work and why leverage is the key to success—no trade is free.

This book is a wake-up call to our politicians, thought leaders, but most importantly, everyday Americans. It presents the case against the policies that have weakened America and left our families and communities behind. It argues for a worker-focused trade policy. It tells the story of our fight for every American job and how for the first time, a US administration took on China. But most importantly, it is a guide to the new world economy—one which will require a worker-focused trade policy.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Robert Lighthizer (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

The ideas that would be applied on tbe 2025 Trump Administration

Interesting book on the ideas applied on the first Trump Administration and what could come on his second term.

Both historical and futurist

Came for the policy, stayed for the racontement of battle stories old and new. Nothing like someone with practical experience!

viewing the change of our government right

We are taking our life to the uppermost care of our responsibilties for country at hand.

Useful for understanding USA policies in international trade.

Useful for understanding Trump’s international trade policies but poor on economic arguments. The obsession with the commercial trade balance is only justified with ideological arguments. Even though it is worth reading/leasing it.

Cogent and compelling in a way that makes in accessible to a non-economist.

This book was an outstanding explanation of how free trade is only beneficial with equivalent access for incoming and outgoing trade. When foreign countries restrict our market access and we don’t respond reciprocally, huge trade imbalances naturally result. Lighthizer cogently walks his reader through the complex nuances of international trade policy and negotiations. The book has a strong point of view that doesn’t fit neatly into any political box, and Lighthizer’s presentation is clear and compelling. Although he was a Trump administration cabinet member and praises the former President, Lighthizer also has some praise for Biden and Pelosi, which helps insulate it from any lazy dismissal.

A good summary, and prescription for the future

I enjoyed the entire book. Trump had a good start on trade, but there are strong, internal interests against leveling trade.

The book that says what the future of commerce with the US could with Trump

An essential work for understanding the United States' perspective on international trade, especially under the Trump administration. Lighthizer critiques free trade policies that have allowed countries like China and others to gain advantages at the expense of American workers.

Lighthizer argues that these policies have led to factory closures and stagnant wages in the United States, while other countries do not adhere to the same environmental and labor standards. This situation creates unfair competition, as foreign companies can operate at lower costs due to poor working conditions and unsustainable practices, while American companies must comply with strict regulations.

Implications for Mexico:

For Mexican companies, it is crucial to adapt to these standards to avoid trade conflicts with the United States. Adopting sustainable practices and ensuring good labor conditions can position Mexican companies as reliable and fair partners. This is especially relevant in the context of trade tensions between the United States and China, where Mexico can benefit from the reshoring/nearshoring of companies.

Conclusion:

Lighthizer emphasizes the need for trade policies that prioritize the trade balance, protect jobs in the United States, and benefit local workers and communities. For Mexico, this means aligning business practices with U.S. strategic interests and ensuring a prosperous economic future by implementing proper environmental and labor standards. The ability to negotiate adjustments to trade agreements will also be crucial to maintaining and strengthening this bilateral relationship.

In summary, "There’s No Free Trade" not only critiques current free trade policies, which Trump did not have time to fully change during his four-year term, but also offers a strategic guide for countries like Mexico and companies that need to adapt to become the undisputed commercial partners and allies of the United States, the world's largest market and the most powerful country.

A fairly contradicting book

Lighthizer bashes China for using too much coal and bashes them again for wanting to use more clean energy. I am really confused, is this just for the sake of bashing China?

Very Informative

I love this book. It offers the most comprehensive look at the economic policies of the current administration. Anyone who says there is no plan or thought behind what is going on doesn’t know what they are talking about.

blueprint of the current tariffs policy

excellent book. Very relevant to current geopolitics and trade policies.
Offering a clear justification for US policies.