Five Minute Friday :: Trade

Star of India moored in San Diego Bay

• Five Minute Friday :: Trade Linkup

Trade implies a degree of exchange or reciprocity between parties. I frequently consider how critical free trade is to both global and local economies, yet most of the time we live at the micro level, where we cannot survive unless we can trade services for goods, or maybe use cash or a card to get what we need. (All of this fascinates me (undergrad economics major))!

As of this blogging, the Customs and Border Patrol agency of my country, the USA, has fourteen free trade agreements. USMCA has replaced the easier to pronounce NAFTA arrangement that's central to the ongoing overall friendship amongst Canada, USA, and Mexico.

The European Union has dozens of free trade agreements in place or being negotiated—along with a few on hold for now. Notice the word free or unimpeded, because those covenants have no teeth without some way to transport and receive products or commodities. In addition, excessive tariffs lessen the utility of the agreements. Dockworker strikes interfere with off- and on-loading. When truckers and railroad employees strike, when weather doesn't cooperate, if for any reason that first mile and beyond from the container ship goes on hold, trade slows and sometimes stops.

…they went out together from Ur of the Chaldeans to go into the land of Canaan Genesis 11:31

Ever since Abram and Sarai left Ur of the Chaldees to pursue God's promise of land and progeny, dissemination of people and goods (and some bads—opium trade? cross border fentanyl crisis?) with the ability to engage outside producers and their products has helped grow civilization in general and been instrumental to achieving higher living standards.

Even in this twenty-first century, even more than rail, air, or roads, ships remain primary to getting the goods where they need to go. But ships – or the people on them – especially trade ideas! Exchange languages. Move people with their embedded cultures from an original or inbetween place to a new location. As delightful as that new goodie from IKEA can be, as much as our work and play require a particular up to date electronic device, learning our neighbors' way of life, their manner of speaking, their culinary delights – as they learn ours – is one of the best ways we connect, become community, and ultimately become friends—not strangers! What a trade!

What's your take on trade today?

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