I was recently reflecting on two things that are a daily part of my journey: Love and Trade. On the surface, they seem like two very different worlds. However, the more I think about them, the more I see the parallels.

In both love and trade, there are principles, and practices that shape the way we relate with others. Surprisingly, you need similar tools whether you are sitting at a negotiation table with representatives from different countries or across the table from someone you deeply care about.

Here are five trade terms that also describe the heart of relationships:

1. Agreements

In trade, agreements form the foundation of progress. Without clear terms and commitments, nothing can move forward. I have witnessed Agreements being signed after years of discussion with the aim of setting clear terms. Love works the same way. Healthy relationships thrive when people are intentional about what they stand for, what they will not compromise on, and what they are building together.

2. Negotiations

Every trade policy analyst knows that negotiations are not about bullying your way through. They are about listening, adjusting, and finding the best possible outcome or a BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement). In love, we negotiate daily. From deciding how to spend time together, to resolving conflicts, to balancing dreams and responsibilities. Love like trade requires negotiation with patience.

3. Compromise

No matter how powerful a country, I know that no negotiation succeeds without compromise. No relationship survives without compromise either. Compromise is not weakness, its strength. It’s the recognition that in giving a little, you gain a lot more. Compromise says, “Our trade or love relationship matters more than my ego.”

4. Mutual Benefit

Even when an agreement has been signed, trade deals collapse when one side wins at the expense of the other. In love, if one person always sacrifices while the other always gains, imbalance sets in and resentment grows. I have witnessed amazing wedding vows that were crushed when true partnership was bruised. Mutual benefit ensures that both parties feel valued, and see growth together.

5. Long-Term Investments

As a young officer, I always wanted immediate wins. This is slowly being revised over the years. A negotiator thinks beyond the immediate win; they strategize for long-term gains. Love, too, is not about instant gratification; it’s about planting seeds today that will blossom tomorrow. Patience, consistency, and intentional care create relationships that last beyond the fleeting moments. Even in the place of prayer, when you constantly seek immediate wins, your faith in God’s faithfulness may waver. But when you consistently look to Him and patiently wait upon Him, the answer can be instant or not. It can be a yes or a no. However, the investment will never come close to the gains from being in His presence. His presence outweighs how much time or strategy you have put in.

Closing Reflection

Every trade negotiator walks into the room with these principles in mind if they expect a win. But here’s the key: the win is never just for one party. The best outcome is always a win-win if the Agreement is to stand and not face Non -Tariff Barriers. This topic will be discussed in our next blog.

Love and trade both remind us that true success is found in building agreements that honor others, negotiating with kindness, compromising with wisdom, ensuring mutual benefit, and investing for the long run.

Maybe that’s why I carry trade as a passion in my heart, because at its core, trade helps us understand love more, a heartbeat in every policy.

With love, Elizabeth R.A Kiguli