# Free Trade: An Introduction **URL:** **By** Barbara Galletti **Published:** October 30, 2025 --- What does free trade mean, and how is it related to our own liberty? Trade has always been part of human nature from prehistoric societies to the vast civilizations of the modern world. People have always exchanged their own property for others’ property in the hopes of satisfying their needs. We can say, then, that the free exchange of things we deem valuable is part of human nature. What does free trade mean, and how is it related to our own liberty? This is the second episode of our Learning Hub series! Subscribe to never miss one of our monthly lessons. **RESOURCES**: Free Trade [https://www.libertarianism.org/topics/free-trade](https://www.libertarianism.org/free-trade-0) Adam Smith [https://www.libertarianism.org/topics/smith-adam-1723-1790](https://www.libertarianism.org/smith-adam-1723-1790) [https://www.libertarianism.org/publications/essays/excursions/other-adam-smith-part-1](https://www.libertarianism.org/essays/excursions/other-adam-smith-part-1) [https://www.libertarianism.org/publications/essays/excursions/other-adam-smith-part-2](https://www.libertarianism.org/essays/excursions/other-adam-smith-part-2) Frédéric Bastiat [https://www.libertarianism.org/topics/frederic-bastiat](https://www.libertarianism.org/frederic-bastiat) Globalization Creates a Global Neighborhood, Benefiting All, by Deirdre N. McCloskey [https://www.cato.org/publications/economics-history-globalization](https://www.cato.org/publications/economics-history-globalization)