The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent agency that works for Congress. The GAO watches over Congress, and investigates how the federal government spends taxpayers dollars. The Comptroller General of the United States is the leader of the GAO, and is appointed to a 15-year term by the U.S. President. The GAO wants to support Congress, while at the same time doing right by the citizens of the United States. They audit, investigate, perform analyses, issue legal decisions and report anything that the government is doing. This is one of their reports.

International Trade, explains the functions and history of international trade, along with providing a worldwide outlook on the future. In addition, firsthand accounts of real people are featured in which their stories are brought down to a personal level for the reader. Additional features include: a table of contents, glossary, index, color photographs, discussion points, and recommended books and websites for further exploration.