How to Win a Trade War | Soumaya Keynes & Chad Bown

How to Win a Trade War: An Economic Guide for an Anxious World

Accolades & Recognition

• Authored by two leading international trade economists and popular economics podcast hosts.
• Published by Princeton University Press, a premier publisher in international economics and political science.
• A groundbreaking, accessible analysis of post-tariff trade strategy, modern supply chains, and economic competition with China.

Extended Synopsis

We used to take global trade for granted. In How to Win a Trade War: An Economic Guide for an Anxious World, trade experts Soumaya Keynes and Chad Bown examine the seismic eruption of modern protectionism, tariffs, and international economic friction. With the old rules of global commerce abandoned, the authors argue that longing for a return to past economic norms is no longer viable, offering instead a pragmatic framework for navigating a volatile global market.

Keynes and Bown guide readers through the complex maze of global supply chains, illustrating how everyday goods depend on multi-national manufacturing processes. From a lipstick casing produced in China, filled in Mexico, stored in Texas, and sold in Canada, to advanced semiconductor manufacturing relying on Appalachian silicon, Japanese wafers, Dutch lithography equipment, and Taiwanese foundries, they reveal the fragile interdependencies powering the modern economy.

Looking ahead, the authors evaluate what full-scale economic warfare could entail, including blocked shipping lanes, satellite communications blackouts, and critical export restrictions. Essential and timely, How to Win a Trade War provides an indispensable roadmap for understanding how consumers, businesses, and nations fit into this new era of commercial rivalry.

About the Authors

Soumaya Keynes and Chad Bown are globally recognized trade economists, researchers, and podcast hosts specializing in international economics, tariff policy, and commercial diplomacy. Their expert analysis has shaped high-level policy discussions and deepened public understanding of global trade dynamics.

Reader Targeting

• Professionals in economics, international policy, supply chain management, and geopolitical risk analysis.
• Readers of Adam Tooze, Peter Zeihan, Dani Rodrik, and Ruchir Sharma.
• Anyone seeking an accessible guide to how tariffs, protectionism, and US-China relations impact markets and consumers.

Bibliographic & Physical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is How to Win a Trade War about?
The book examines modern protectionism, tariff policies, supply chain vulnerabilities, and how Western democracies can adapt to geopolitical trade competition with China.

Who are the authors of How to Win a Trade War?
It is co-authored by prominent trade economists and podcast hosts Soumaya Keynes and Chad Bown.

Is this book suitable for general readers without an economics background?
Yes, the book uses real-world supply chain examples—such as the global journey of a lipstick tube or a smartphone microchip—to make complex trade concepts clear and accessible.