Trade wars have become a defining feature of the modern global economy, influencing international alliances, market dynamics, and domestic industries. The use of tariffs, sanctions, and other economic barriers has reshaped how countries interact and compete, sparking renewed public interest and prompting an outpouring of commentary and analysis in book form.

Books on trade wars cover a wide range of viewpoints—from historical context and economic theory to policy perspectives and firsthand accounts. Some examine how domestic inequality and geopolitical tensions contribute to global trade disputes, while others offer critiques of trade policies or advocate for economic nationalism. Many explore the historical evolution of protectionist measures and the implications these have for today’s interconnected markets.

Whether written by economists, former trade officials, or academic historians, these books help readers understand the deeper drivers and consequences of trade conflicts. They break down how trade wars affect not just national governments and multinational corporations, but also workers, consumers, and local economies.

This list presents ten of the most popular books on the topic, offering a range of insights for anyone looking to better understand the strategies, outcomes, and human impact of economic competition between nations.

Bestseller No. 1

Trade Wars Are Class Wars: How Rising Inequality Distorts the Global Economy and Threatens International Peace

Klein, Matthew C. (Author)
English (Publication Language)
296 Pages - 08/31/2021 (Publication Date) - Yale University Press (Publisher)

Bestseller No. 2

Tariffs and Trade Wars: A Historical Analysis of Protectionism

Masters, Alexander (Author)
English (Publication Language)
326 Pages - 02/14/2025 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)

SaleBestseller No. 3

Trade War: Containers Don't Lie, Navigating the Bluster

Larocco, Lori Ann (Author)
English (Publication Language)
208 Pages - 11/13/2019 (Publication Date) - Marine Money, Inc. (Publisher)

SaleBestseller No. 4

Power and Plenty: Trade, War, and the World Economy in the Second Millennium (The Princeton Economic History of the Western World)

Findlay, Ronald (Author)
English (Publication Language)
648 Pages - 08/30/2009 (Publication Date) - Princeton University Press (Publisher)

SaleBestseller No. 5

The War Below: Lithium, Copper, and the Global Battle to Power Our Lives

Hardcover Book
Scheyder, Ernest (Author)
English (Publication Language)
384 Pages - 01/30/2024 (Publication Date) - Atria/One Signal Publishers (Publisher)