The Art of the Deal: An Insider's Guide to Trade and Trade Negotiations

In today's globalised world, the effects of international trade are felt in everyday life, from the price of goods on supermarket shelves to the headlines about tariffs, new trade deals, and the occasional breakdown of negotiations. Existing trade frameworks face growing scrutiny, and the rules that once seemed settled are increasingly being contested.In this episode, we explore the realities of international trade with Vanessa Rubio Marquez, former Deputy Finance Minister of Mexico, someone who has sat at the negotiating table at some of these very discussions. Drawing on her experience navigating complex bilateral and multilateral trade relationships, we examine the power dynamics that shape negotiations, the nuances of dealing with politically complex environments, the ongoing debate around free trade, and what today's tariff disputes tell us about the future of global trade.Recording Date: November 11, 2025Host: Leonardo Luksic – The Public Sphere Journal, LSE School of Public PolicyGuest: Professor Vanessa Rubio Marquez – Associate Dean for Extended Education at LSE’s School of Public PolicyProduction: Leonardo Luksic, Kartik Sanade, and Muawiya Mahomed | PSJ Podcast Team, School of Public PolicyMusic by AudioCoffee: ⁠⁠https://www.audiocoffee.net/