What did David Hume believe about free trade between nations?

David Hume, a prominent Scottish philosopher and economist, advocated for the benefits of international commerce. He argued that because each nation possesses unique advantages regarding raw materials, climate, and specialized skills, a free interchange of products is generally mutually beneficial to all parties involved.1

Hume’s economic perspective was rooted in the belief that wealth is defined by the availability of commodities rather than the accumulation of money. Consequently, he contended that it is unsustainable for a nation to focus solely on exporting goods in exchange for bullion. While he supported the free exchange of products, he did acknowledge that there were some exceptions to this principle. Furthermore, he believed that poor nations hinder global prosperity because their lack of production prevents them from participating effectively in this international trade.1