What does trade mean?

Trade occurs when individuals, whether personally or through delegation, exchange resources or the rights to resources.

In the study of economics, trade also refers to international trade, usually meaning trade between private actors from different countries, or between governments of difference countries.

When trade, personal or international, is free and voluntary, it enables prosperity and peace. Conversely, protectionism privileges the powerful or politically-connected actors against many “unseen” groups who are harmed by the protectionist policies.

Coercive barriers to trade are a form of aggression. They aggress against both buyers and sellers broadly while benefiting a select few. See also: Trade — the free choice economy.