Trade Is Not a Four-Letter Word

How Six Everyday Products Make the Case for Trade

By: Fred P. Hochberg

Narrated by: Fred P. Hochberg

“A sprightly and clear-eyed testimonial to the value of globalization” (The Wall Street Journal) as seen through six surprising everyday goods - the taco salad, the Honda Odyssey, the banana, the iPhone, the college degree, and the blockbuster HBO series Game of Thrones.

Trade allows us to sell what we produce at home and purchase what we don’t. It lowers prices and gives us greater variety and innovation. Yet understanding our place in the global trade network is rarely simple. Trade has become an easy excuse for struggling economies, a scapegoat for our failures to adapt to a changing world, and - for many Americans on both the right and the left - nothing short of a four-letter word.

But as Fred P. Hochberg reminds us, trade is easier to understand than we commonly think. In Trade Is Not a Four-Letter Word, you’ll learn how NAFTA became a populist punching bag on both sides of the aisle. You’ll learn how Americans can avoid the grim specter of the $10 banana. And you’ll finally discover the truth about whether or not, as President Trump has famously tweeted, “trade wars are good and easy to win”. (Spoiler alert - they aren’t.)

Hochberg debunks common trade myths by pulling back the curtain on six everyday products, each with a surprising story to tell: the taco salad, the Honda Odyssey, the banana, the iPhone, the college degree, and the smash hit HBO series Game of Thrones. Behind these six examples are stories that help explain not only how trade has shaped our lives so far but also how we can use trade to build a better future for our own families, for America, and for the world.

Trade Is Not a Four-Letter Word is the antidote to today’s acronym-laden trade jargon pitched to voters with simple promises that rarely play out so one-dimensionally. Packed with colorful examples and highly digestible explanations, Trade Is Not a Four-Letter Word is “an accessible, necessary book that will increase our understanding of trade and economic policies and the ways in which they impact our daily lives” (Library Journal, starred review).

©2020 Fred P. Hochberg (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Audio

A Mostly Neutral Take on Trade

I appreciated the mostly Neutral perspective on Trade considering his political affiliation (though, he does have his own biases as we all do). Trade is incredibly complex, but this was an enjoyable read. I recommend everyone to read it, but also look into the details for yourself (for example, look at how much the US was paying to WTO in comparison to Every other country!).

Great Book but ...

The book is a fantastic recollection and explanation of the role of Trade. It is very well documented and the examples are great. The writer cannot be more qualified to do it as a previous president of EX-IM bank. The only bit that I will out here is the political twist he introduced. No need to make it political and criticize ANY administration to still make all your points strong and credible.

This book adds an important perspective to our political discourse in 2020

The author represents a highly informed perspective on the value and influence of trade historically and as it relates to our current geo-political climate. His strong willingness to address the hard facts of trade and tackle them with an appreciation for both the innovation of the private sector and the responsibility of a government to its people is a breath of fresh air. The author present what could easily be a dry and dense subject with wit and such a great sense of humor!!! The puns alone are worth the read. I’d suggest this book to anyone who has an opinion on American trade policies or who intends to be endowed with important facts and well-informed perspectives when they hit the polls in 2020. Thank you to the author for the great book and I would love to hear more about his personal journey and experience. Three words: READ THIS BOOK

best book for understanding trade!

Everyone should read this book. it talks truthfully about trade, the pros and cons, and the need to address the cons for the US (or any country) to reach its prosperity and wellbeing goals!
it's written for everyone.

A must read for anyone interested in trade.

Trade Is Not a Four-Letter Word is a must read for anyone involved or interested in trade. The author possesses a unique combination of high-level business and government experience, and he connects his deep understanding of these topics and shares his informed insights with readers. Fred has been a friend of mine for many years, and he has written an interesting and informative book.

Instructive book on trade.

This is a good primer on trade. I recommend it. The only issue I had with the book is that the voice of the author, who reads the book, tends to trail off at the end of his sentences. Listening in my car, sometimes it is hard to hear the last few words of a sentence. But that doesn't deter my recommending the book.