International trade plays a very important role in global economic growth. By facilitating the exchange of goods and services between countries, international trade helps expand markets, increase competition, and encourage innovation. Countries involved in international trade are able to utilize each other’s expertise and resources, thereby creating greater efficiency. One of the main positive impacts of international trade is increased access to goods and services. Countries that do not have certain resources can import those goods from other countries, increasing the variety of products available to consumers. For example, countries that do not produce rice can easily import rice from major producing countries such as Thailand and India, allowing them to meet their people’s food needs. In addition, international trade encourages economic growth by opening new jobs. When domestic companies participate in global trade, they often have to expand production capacity to meet demand. This increase in production often leads to additional labor. For example, the manufacturing sector in developing countries often experiences a surge due to export demand, resulting in the creation of thousands of new jobs. However, there are also negative impacts of international trade, one of which is economic inequality. Countries involved in trade often experience significant differences in profits earned. Developed countries tend to get greater benefits than developing countries, creating wider gaps. For example, large companies from developed countries may invest resources in developing countries, but the benefits are often uneven, with most of the profits flowing back to the company’s home country. International trade can also trigger unhealthy competition. In some cases, local industries may not be able to compete with cheaper imported products, which can result in factory closures and job losses. Through protectionist policies, some countries try to protect local industries from the negative impacts of trade. However, this often leads to retaliation from other countries and increases trade tensions. The environment is also one of the aspects affected by international trade. Increased demand for goods can encourage excessive exploration of natural resources, causing environmental damage. Additionally, carbon emissions from international transportation are increasing, contributing to climate change. Therefore, it is important to implement sustainable trade practices so that economic growth does not come at the expense of the environment. One initiative that is growing in popularity is the implementation of free trade agreements. This agreement aims to reduce tariffs and trade barriers between countries, thereby encouraging further economic growth. Examples of well-known agreements are the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which were designed to increase economic integration between member countries. Digitalization has also brought about major changes in international trade. E-commerce allows small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) to sell their products to global markets without having to invest in large physical infrastructure. This opens up new opportunities for SMEs in developing countries to compete internationally. Thus, international trade has many significant impacts on the global economy. Although there are challenges that need to be faced, such as economic inequality, protectionism, and environmental impacts, the benefits of global trade are clearly enormous. Wise policies and international cooperation are needed to maximize benefits while minimizing negative effects, so that international trade can continue to contribute positively to a sustainable global economy.