Jeffrey Sachs: "the first principle of international economics is mutual gain"

Our economy depends on China, their economy depends on us, not to every dollar or yuan, but for our prosperity, this has been a tremendously beneficial two-way trade. By the way, the first principle of international economics, which I have taught for 44 years, is mutual gain.  Trade is not about one side winning and the other side losing.  That's how generals think.  But economists say, "Trade is about mutual gain.  We get something, you get something.  And the United States has overall been enriched by China's rise. 

~ Jeffrey Sachs, "Harvard Economist Shocking Prediction for US China Relations in 2025," Cyrus Janssen, 10:25 mark, November 24, 2025

George Koo on economic ties between the U.S. and China

Including and working with China is potentially an all-around win-win situation.  Everybody benefits because the economies are so integrated, the skills and strengths are complementary.  But to turn it into a decoupled situation is a lose-lose situation.  I don't think China will benefit from a decoupled situation, but I can certainly say that the U.S. is also going to lose on a decoupled situation.

~ George Koo, "'Containing China' is Making America Weaker," 26:50 mark, August 27, 2022

John Stossel on the win-win nature of voluntary exchange

We see this every time we buy something.  The seller's there for his own self-interest and so am I.  So why do we both say, "thank you."  Because he wanted the dollar more than he wanted the pretzel.  I wanted the pretzel more than the dollar.  The transaction doesn't happen unless both of us think we win.  And that way, voluntary transactions create wealth.

~ John Stossel, "In Defense of Capitalism," Stossel TV, 4:00 mark, June 18, 2019