This is fucking ridiculous, and I have a degree in economics. Even in the sort of useless basic neoclassical models there are a million exceptions to this rule

This is fucking ridiculous, and I have a degree in economics. Even in the sort of useless basic neoclassical models there are a million exceptions to this rule like incubation of infant industries, resource extraction, national defense and health, and so on. And nobody sane even believes that stuff any more. Trade can benefit societies or destroy them. Details matter.