When countries trade with each other, they benefit. They use their absolute and comparative advantages to trade goods and services, and they obtain other goods and services that they lack or that they are less efficient in making. Some specific benefits of global trade include:

A better variety and quantity of goods and services
An improved standard of living for the citizens in both trading countries
Access to and availability of scarce resources, such as oil and diamonds
Lower prices for goods and services due to increased competition
Possible exchange of ideas and technology among countries
Enhanced relations among trading countries
Increased income for the shipping and/or airline industries due to increased freight and tourism

Still need convincing that global trade is good for the United States? Read this article from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce titled “The Benefits of International Trade.”