Franklin rejects the idea that trade is inherently harmful to a nation. Voluntary exchange allows people and countries to obtain goods they value while selling what they can produce competitively. In this view, commerce can expand markets, encourage production and circulate wealth rather than simply transferring prosperity from one country to another.

The statement is deliberately sweeping and does not mean that every trading arrangement benefits all people equally. Trade can produce economic disruption, expose industries to competition and distribute gains unevenly. Governments may also adopt policies that affect who benefits from commercial exchange. Franklin’s broader point is that trade itself should not be treated as a cause of national ruin. The economic consequences depend on the conditions under which exchange takes place, but commerce can be an important source of prosperity rather than an inherently destructive force.