ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Counter trade

Okay kiddo, imagine you have a banana and you want to trade it for an apple from your friend who has an apple but doesn't want a banana. You start thinking, how can we make this trade possible? That's where counter trade comes in!

Counter trade is like a trade deal between countries, where they buy and sell things with each other but use alternative methods of payment. So, instead of using money like we do at the store, they might use goods or services to make the trade fair.

For example, let's say Country A wants to buy some grain from Country B. But Country B needs some medical supplies, which Country A doesn't have. So they agree to a counter trade deal where Country A will provide some other goods or services, like building some schools in Country B, which Country B needs. This way, they can make the trade work without having to use money.

It's kind of like when you and your friend traded your snacks in the lunchroom, but instead of using money, you both agreed on something else to trade that you both wanted.

Counter trade helps countries to trade with each other when they don't have the same resources or money, and it's a way to make sure everyone gets what they need.