Why do politicians lie about trade, and what can we do about it?

Free trade and open markets have become negative concepts in current debates in the United States and parts of Europe. Trade agreements are considered a thing of the past, and the general consensus is that countries should instead focus on themselves and decouple, friendshore, and derisk. But is this really an effective strategy?
While politicians in the past have tended to sometimes overplay the importance of a free trade agreement, today they do the opposite, denying the advantages of trade liberalization, partnerships, and increased market access. What can we do to change the narrative?…