With the stroke of a pen — and often, just the tap of a phone — then-U.S. President Donald Trump was able to disrupt global trade at an unprecedented scale. Steel, aluminum, washing machines, even Canadian dairy products — all suddenly trapped in a messy web of new tariffs, sanctions, and retaliations.
Billions of dollars in global commerce didn’t vanish because there was no demand.
They vanished because trust broke down.
→ Governments stopped trusting each other. → Businesses stopped trusting the rules. → Markets stopped trusting stability.
All from the decisions of a few powerful individuals — far removed from the businesses, creators, and workers caught in the crossfire.
What If Trade Didn’t Need Currencies — Or Governments — At All?
