Maritime Trading both ways?

Question

I recently played with a friend who said you can use the maritime harbor to trade 2:1 in both directions. I said this wasn't true, but couldn't disprove him in the rule book. The rules say:

The exchange rate of 2:1 only applies to the resource shown on the harbor location.

Suppose you're on a 2:1 wood trade.

(1) You can trade 2 wood cards for 1 grain/ore/sheep/brick card.

(2) You can trade 2 cards for 1 wood card. (2 grain for 1 wood. 2 brick for 1 wood etc.)

Can you only do (1), (2), or both. Which is correct?

Answer 1

This is covered in the Catan FAQ:

Trade - What is the meaning of the resource symbols on some harbor hexes?

Answer The special harbor hexes always show the resource type of which you have to discard 2 units in order to receive one different resource or one commodity.

In other words, it only works one way - the way you expected.