Dad's in TEXAS?

International trade is a big deal.

My father is an international truck driver and every week he crosses the United States border at least twice.
My mother is a purchaser for an international corporation and has to ship internationally and import products and machinery on a daily basis.
What you don't see or hear about with international trade is just as interesting as the Wall Street News or the ever-so common and highly publicized trade agreements, that frequently sprout up.

Its important to recognize the impact of international trade: our entire world is founded on the ability to get things from far away places without having to go there, and without having to even know the country it came from. 

How can we have Christmas without fresh raspberries in the champagne?

As much as we love our international trade - in not only produce - but clothing, electronics, knickknacks and paddiwhacks...
The entire world is measured through comparisons of these imports/exports.
How much your country can sell to another country defines them.

What is the trading power of this country/that country? What is the main export? How much does that convert to in USD?
 -> But what if the country cannot convert to USD or it isn't relevant to convert to USD ..
     What about Cuba?
On a recent trip to Cuba I realized how dramatic the impact of lack of importation of goods can be, down to the ketchup.

Or the lack there of...

The embargo has been in place on Cuba for over 50 years and they have adapted largely with the help of other Latin American countries - Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, with a head start from the Soviet Union.
Interestingly enough, Cuba is managing to survive without America's help: they are still able to trade with China, and in my opinion, are doing a pretty good job of floating without the number one importer in the world giving them a hand.

I would strongly recommend a visit.

As we sit in america's back pocket, with all of their commercial luxuries at our fingertips, it was a culture shock just to eat dinner.

International trade is so important to our planet (in particular, Western culture) that it is how we judge a societies' happiness. 
How can they be happy when every person is only worth 8000$ ? The GDP is so low!
Well, I'll let you know.

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    *Sept. 2013