Book — Fred P. Hochberg

Fred P. Hochberg

Testimonials

“Fred Hochberg knows what he is talking about. As a former Chairman and President of the US Export-Import Bank, he has seen firsthand how trade is mutually beneficial, not a zero-sum game. In this appealing and engaging book, Hochberg makes a compelling case for trade as a driver of global prosperity, innovation, economic resilience, good jobs, and a higher quality of life for billions of people across the globe. I particularly enjoyed his account of how trade helps empower women – seen clearly in the story of his own mother, who became a successful entrepreneur because she was one of the first people to appreciate the benefits of US-China economic links. I highly recommend this book.”

Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank; former Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund

"Fred Hochberg has done something that, while not impossible, is difficult and rare. He has written about world economic realities in a way that is sophisticated and also accessible, serious but also funny and light. From student to business owner--from employee worried about future jobs, to mayors or governors encouraging those future jobs--readers across a broad range will learn a lot from this book."

Jim Fallows, Award winning author and National Correspondent for the Atlantic

"Trade Is Not a Four-Letter Word is a clear-eyed, informative defense of the importance of free trade. If you’ve ever wondered what makes it possible to enjoy all the products that make daily life possible, this book is for you. And if you haven’t thought about trade, this engaging book will make trade a fascinating subject, one that you never knew you were interested in.”

Indra Nooyi, former CEO of Pepsi-Co

“In an excellent new book, Trade is Not a Four-Letter Word, Fred Hochberg, the former head of the Export-Import Bank, reminds us that the concept of a trade deficit may be outdated because goods are no longer made in just one country.”

Fareed Zakaria, Columnist The Washington Post

"Written by a uniquely qualified expert, this is a witty, enjoyable book that makes clear the great benefits--but difficult politics and policy choices--of international trade."

Frederick W. Smith, Founder and CEO, FedEx Corporation

“By turns practical and insightful, Fred’s indefatigable spirit, sound judgement, and depth of experience shine through in Trade Is Not a Four-Letter Word. Throughout his unique upbringing and accomplished career, which spanned a period of profound political and economic change, Fred set a standard of leadership and level-headed collaboration while dealing with the complex issues around global trade and the many ways it impacts our day-to-day lives. And these meaningful lessons about trade apply to all of us—in business and in life.”

Jamie Dimon, Chairman & CEO, JP Morgan Chase

"It's the only book on trade you'll ever need to read."

Ana Navarro, CNN Political Strategist

“With the bright light of his intelligence and the clarity of his prose and his invaluable in-house experience, Hochberg blows away the fog that usually obscures explanations of how globalization actually works and doesn’t work. He also blows away the competition.”

Russell Banks, Author of Affliction & The Sweet Hereafter

About the book

Trade—the exchange that powers the world—allows us to sell what we produce at home and purchase what we don’t. In the age of globalization, trade has joined together more people than ever before, providing access to major new markets and countless new products that have revolutionized our lives.

However, for millions of people, global trade has become a popular target for blame and the frustrations of modern life. Much of the public only connects trade with unfathomable, high-level deals causing the fundamental principles to often seem inaccessible and confusing.

Through the lens of six quintessential American goods, Fred P. Hochberg breaks down colorful and compelling real-world examples to dispel the widespread myths and confusions surrounding trade. By using six widely consumed American goods—the taco salad, the minivan, the banana, the iPhone, the college degree, and the HBO series Game of Thrones—Hochberg highlights the story of America’s most surprising trade relationships while sharing the essentials of trade that everyone should know.

“It’s the only book on trade you’ll ever need to read.”

— Ana Navarro, Political Strategist and CNN Commentator

PRAISE FOR TRADE IS NOT A FOUR LETTER WORD

April 2020 — Washington Post: Joe Biden's quarantine reading assignment
February 2020 — Financial Times: Trade is Not a Four Letter Word — the pros and cons of globalisation
February 2020 — Washington Post: The trade deficit is soaring under Trump — and that’s a good thing
February 2020 — CNN: Fareed Zakaria GPS Book of the Week
February 2020 — Inside Higher Ed: Higher Ed Exports and ‘Trade is Not a Four Letter Word’
January 2020 — Wall Street Journal: The iPhone Isn’t Made in China—It’s Made Everywhere
January 2020 — Wall Street Journal - Review: Bargain Shopping Across the Globe
January 2020 — The Hill: Fred Hochberg shows why bipartisanship is the answer
January 2020 — Crains: Former EXIM Chief bucks Trump on trade in new book
January 2020 — New York Post: How the Honda Odyssey became the most American car on the road
December 2019 — Publishers Weekly: Trade is Not a Four Letter Word

SELECTED TV/RADIO APPERANCES

August 2020 — Fox Business News: Joe Biden is a bridge-builder: Civic leader
July 2020 — Fox Business News: Biden cares about working people, not Wall Street
April 2020 — Cats Roundtable: International trade will change substantially after the pandemic
April 2020 — All Encompassing: Where did they think the banana came from?
February 2020 — CSPAN: Washington Journal
February 2020 — BBC News: The case for free trade
January 2020 — Bloomberg: U.S. Decoupling From China is a Crazy Idea, Former ExIm Bank Chair Says
January 2020 — Bloomberg: ‘Balance of Power’
January 2020 — CNBC: Squawk Box
January 2020 — NPR: Former Export-Import Bank Chairman On How 'Trade Is Not A Four-Letter Word'
December 2019 — Yahoo Finance: Fmr. EXIM Chair on China trade deal: This is just the start
June 2019 — Yahoo Finance: Fmr. Export-Import Bank Chair: No reason for tariffs to be delayed
May 2019 — Marketplace: Export-Import Bank might shake years of reduced power
January 2019 — Bloomberg Daybreak: U.S. Trade Deficit Could Worsen if China Opens Market Further
October 2018 — Bloomberg Daybreak: Former Ex-Im Bank Chair Hochberg on U.S.-China Trade War
July 2018 — Bloomberg Balance of Power: Former Ex-Im Bank Chair on Tariffs, Trade, NAFTA
April 2018 — Bloomberg Daybreak: Trump's Tariffs Threaten Prosperity Says Former EXIM Chairman
October 2017 — WTTW Chicago: Trading Places: Former Export-Import Bank Chair Discusses Trade
August 2017 — CNBC: Hochberg on CEO exodus from Trump councils
December 2016 — CNBC: Squawk Box Export-Import bank ‘all about jobs’: Fred P. Hochberg

Podcasts

October 2020 — Staffer: Fred Hochberg
October 2020 — Global Trade Talks: Trade is Not a Four-Letter Word
June 2020 — The Asia Group | Tea Leaves Podcast: Fred Hochberg
February 2020 — CFR: Fred Hochberg on the U.S. China Trade Deal and U.S. Trade Policy
January 2020 — All Things Considered: Former EXIM Chairman on How Trade is Not a Four Letter Word
November 2017 — The Axe Files: Episode 189 - Fred Hochberg
October 2016 — Cape Up with Jonathan Capehart: Fred Hochberg on jobs, ‘good feet’ and congressional hurdles

Events

November 2020 — Miami Book Fair: Fred P. Hochberg in Conversation with David Rubenstein
November 2020 — Center for Global Development: COVID-19, Supply Chain Resilience and Global Trade
October 2020 — Milken Institute Global Conference: Technology and the Opening of Trade
September 2020 — Concordia Annual Summit: Global Repercussions in Trade and Manufacturing
August 2020 — Center for American Progress: Progressive Visions for Trade
May 2020 — Asia Scotland Institute: Fred P. Hochberg Discussing Issues of Global Trade
April 2020 — The Common Good: The Coronavirus: Impact on Business & the U.S. Response
February 2020 — American Enterprise Institute: Trade is Not a Four Letter Word