Chocolate Covered Economics: Cocoa Trade History & The Failure of Tariffs

What can a chocolate bar teach us about the global economy? Everything.

From the sacred cacao rituals of the Maya to the rise of Hershey and Lindt, from the War of 1812’s chocolate tariffs to Trump-era trade wars, this book uncovers the hidden history of chocolate as the perfect case study in global interdependence.

Each chapter blends gripping stories with clear economic insights: how cocoa farmers in Ghana, sugar cutters in Brazil, and engineers in Switzerland unknowingly cooperate to create your afternoon snack—and how fragile that miracle becomes when governments disrupt trade with tariffs and protectionism.

Through vivid narratives, cultural history, and hard-hitting economic analysis, Chocolate Covered Economics shows how taxation on simple pleasures reveals deeper truths about democracy, freedom, and prosperity.

Whether you’re a lover of chocolate, economics, or both, you’ll come away with a sharper understanding of why free exchange works—and why tariffs always backfire.

👉 Featuring historical anecdotes, modern trade war lessons, and bite-sized insights that turn every chocolate bar into a masterclass in global economics.