Why Politicians Lie About Trade

Grozoubinski’s book is billed as a layperson’s guidebook to international trade policy, and to navigating politicians’ prevarications about it. Grozoubinski is well qualified on both counts. As a former government trade official, he is an experienced guide to how trade policy is actually made. As a current trainer of trade negotiators, he is a skilful communicator of a complex subject. As an Australian, he writes refreshingly bluntly about a notoriously turgid field: he states his aim, for example, as furnishing his readers with “a functioning bullshit detector”.

Despite being an entertaining read, however, his book is no joke. Structured in two parts, it succeeds both in explaining how global trade works and in illustrating how the rather rarefied topic of international trade policy affects things many voters actually care about: jobs, national security, climate change, and so on. Given how protectionism is increasingly touted as a simple solution to complex social and economic strains, it is also excellently timed.

Felix Martin, Financial Times, 16th July 2024
Grattan Institute’s 2024 Wonks’ List
Why Politicians Lie About Trade
Dmitry Grouzoubinski

Trade policy may not be your idea of a riveting read – it’s probably one of those things you’re content to ignore even while choosing between a Chinese or Japanese car, ordering your Christmas presents online from the US, or complaining about your gas bill rising because of high international LNG prices.

But trade policy has moved to the centre of political debates globally this past decade – from Brexit to Trump’s tariffs.

Politicians of all stripes have the unfortunate habit of making inflated claims about billions of dollars in benefits – or costs – from trade policy changes.

Luckily, Dmitry Grouzoubinski is here to help you understand the basics and ask the right questions. His book walks through the fundamentals of trade policy, from why we have it and what it does, to trade in goods and services, free-trade agreements, and the WTO. It explains the impact of trade on jobs, national security, climate change, and more.

Why Politicians Lie About Trade is written in clear and accessible language, with lots of examples and a good dose of humour. By the end, you’ll be better equipped to understand trade’s role in key policy debates, and ready to spot dodgy arguments. What more could you want in an election year?

Read in full: https://grattan.edu.au/news/wonks-list-2024/
'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

'I recommend that you read Dmitry's book, which is a really good, fun read on everything you need to know about trade policy.' Jill Rutter, UK in a Changing Europe

'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