Trade Policy
Trade policy usually refers to all the rules and regulations that govern trade, which is just the buying and selling of goods. When discussing trade policy it is almost always referring to international trade, which requires regulation in order to help international trade to run more smoothly. Governments decide what they believe are the best policies for their own countries, and often groups of countries come together to discuss trade policies which are mutually beneficial to all the trading parties.
Lay people sometimes have trouble understanding trade policy, as it can become quite a complex set of rules and regulations. The conglomeration of rules, regulations, agreements and treaties are found dispersed among many government departments and documents. These documents can be referring to specific important trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement, and/or many others.
Democracies, especially those with capitalistic economies, usually believe in fewer regulations in general. But as economies grow and expand internationally, the issues become more complex, and each issue needs to be decided on its own merits and circumstances. We believe free trade is good, usually, but not always.
