Global – International Trade Flashcards
What are the Benefits Countries obtain from Trade?
- Increased competition
- Greater efficiency
- Lower prices for consumers
- Greater choice for consumers
- Acquiring needed resources
- Source of foreign exchange
- Access to larger markets
- Economies of scale
- Specialization
- More efficient resource allocation
- Flow of new ideas and tech
- Economic growth
What is Free Trade?
Refers to the absence of government intervention of any kind in international trade, resulting in trade without restrictions.
How does a Country decide what Goods to Export/Import?
A country will export a good if its domestic price is lower than the price set in international trade (world price). The opposite of this will bring the country to import the good.
How can Export Revenues be Calculated?
Quantity of exports x World price
where quantity of exports is Qs - Qd
What is the Effect of Exports on Stakeholders?
Producers: better off (higher Q and higher P)
Consumers: worse off (higher P and lower Q)
How can Import Expenditure be Calculated?
Quantity of imports x World price
where quantity of imports is Qd - Qs
What is the Effect of Imports on Stakeholders?
Producers: worse off (lower Q and lower P)
Consumers: better off (higher Q and lower P)
What is Absolute Advantage?
The ability of a country to produce a good using fewer resources than another country.
Explain the Theory of Absolute Advantage
According to the theory, if countries specialize in and export the good in which they have absolute advantage upon, the result will be higher production and consumption in each country.
What is Comparative Advantage?
The situation in which one country has a lower opportunity cost in the production of a good than another country.
Explain the Theory of Comparative Advantage
As long as opportunity cost in two or more countries differ, it is possible for all countries to gain from specialization and trade according to their comparative advantage. This increases the global allocation of resources resulting in greater global output allowing countries to consume outside of their PPC.
What happens when the PPCs of Two Countries are Parallel to Each-Other?
It shows that opportunity cost is nearly identical and therefore there is no comparative advantage and there are no possibilities for the countries to gain from specialization.
What are the Assumptions of the Theory of Comparative Advantage?
- Factors of production are fixed
- Technology is fixed
- Perfect mobility of factors of prod.
- There is full employment of resources
- There is free trade
- There are homogeneous products
- Transportation costs are ignored
What are the Disadvantages of the Theory of Comparative Advantage?
- Depends on unrealistic assumptions
- Spec. can prevent structural changes
- Risk of excessive specialization
What are the Types of Trade Protection?
1) Tariffs
2) Quotas
3) Subsidies
4) Export subsidies
5) Administrative barriers
What is Trade Protection?
Government intervention in international trade through the imposition of trade restrictions to prevent free entry of imports in a country.