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Would Americans be better off if we purchased less from foreigners? . International Trade . In what ways do you engage in trade? . Specialization. What do you plan to specialize in? . Milton Friedman—The story of a pencil. The Basis for all Trade: Absolute and Comparative Advantage.
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Would Americans be better off if we purchased less from foreigners?
International Trade • In what ways do you engage in trade?
Specialization • What do you plan to specialize in?
The Basis for all Trade:Absolute and Comparative Advantage KarateEconomics
Absolute Advantage • When a country can produce a good more efficiently than another country
Comparative Advantage Before Trade • The ability to produce a product relatively more efficiently, aka, a lower opportunity cost After Trade
History of American Trade • Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act—1930 • Raised tariffs on 20,000 imported goods • Result: huge decline in standard of living across all trading groups
History of American Trade • WWII and after—promotion of free trade • NE—Wheelan: why would we put sanctions on ourselves?
NAFTA • Signed in 1994 by Clinton—created a trade bloc between US, Canada, and Mexico
Protectionism • Tariffs • Quotas • Regulations
Why Protectionism? • Protect domestic industries and employment • Strategic/National interest goals • Political pressure • Protect culture
Fair Trade? • International trade with a focus on quality of life and a more equitable global economic trading system • Top 5 Worst Sweatshop Offenders