'An absolute masterclass in how to communicate complex information simply' – author Ian Dunt
'It succeeds both in explaining how global trade works and how it affects things many voters actually care about' – Financial Times
'My hero on this is Dmitry Grozoubinski, who has written the most beautiful book' – author Rory Stewart
Why Politicians Lie About Trade reveals how international trade really works – the roadblock tariffs, the hard-won deals, and the damaging disputes.
Written with the expectation that the US would trigger a global trade war, this book takes readers on a revealing and sometimes funny tour of the shadowy workings of the $32 trillion-a-year international business that puts goods on our shelves and food in our mouths.
Using clear writing and lively case studies, former trade negotiator Dmitry Grozoubinski reveals the underlying political and geographical forces that shape the impact of cross-border trade on food, jobs, gender, conflict, climate change and many other issues.
And he reveals what politicians cover up about the system – and why it matters to your world.
In short, Why Politicians Lie About Trade contains everything you need to know about the tricky network of imports and exports that rules our world – and is an ideal companion to popular business books like Taxtopia and Freakonomics.
Serious publications such as the Financial Times and the World Trade Review have endorsed the book, along with popular authors Ian Dunt, James O'Brien and Rory Stewart.
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
'Despite being an entertaining read, 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
'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'
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
'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
'Enraging & enlightening in equal measure. And the measure is absolutely enormous.' James O'Brien, author of How They Broke Britain
Buy the book and start reading
Dmitry Grozoubinski is a former Australian trade negotiator and Executive Director of the Geneva Trade Platform in Switzerland. He is a negotiations and trade policy expert specialising in accessibly communicating these complex worlds.He has trained hundreds of government negotiators, civil servants and corporate officers all over the world in how trade policy works, how trade agreements are negotiated and how those on the outside can shape their outcomes. He has run training courses for government officials and corporate officers across the United Kingdom, in the Netherlands, India, Argentina, and beyond.Known for his ability to explain the complexities of trade and economics accessibly, Dmitry has been extensively quoted in the media: from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, to Time Magazine and the Economist. He has appeared on TV many times and has been a frequent guest on radio and podcasts, and given evidence to multiple Parliaments on trade issues.Prior to launching his consultancy Dmitry served at the Australian Mission to the World Trade Organization, representing Australia on issues as diverse as agriculture, trade facilitation, women's economic empowerment and economic development. He led negotiations in a number of areas including on rules for developing countries, and negotiated for Australia at the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference and the 14th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development quadrennial.Dmitry built his consultancy off the back of explaining trade issues and especially the trade implications of Brexit on Twitter, where his account is perhaps the most followed of any trade expert in the world.Since being appointed the first Executive Director of the Geneva Trade Platform has helped guide the organization into a position of prominence within the trade landscape. The Platform has hosted the key policy addresses of the United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai and the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Vladis Dombrovskis, as well as speeches by Nobel Peace Prize winners, the WTO Director-General and dozens of Ambassadors.
