Thursday, 22 May 2014

International trade

Why do American households and businesses buy things from foreigners? What are the characteristics of the items we buy from foreigners? What are the characteristics of the things we sell to foreigners?

Means-tested transfer payments

Means-tested transfer payments reduce the current poverty rate. However, they also create an incentive structure that discourages self-sufficiency and self-improvement. Thus, they tend to increase the future poverty rate. Welfare programs essentially purchase a lower poverty rate today in exchange for a higher poverty rate in the future.” Evaluate this statement.

Tariffs and import quotas

Can both of the following statements be true? Why or why not?
a. “Tariffs and import quotas promote economic inefficiency and reduce the real income of a nation. Economic analysis suggests that nations can gain by eliminating trade restrictions.”
b. “Economic analysis suggests that there is good reason to expect that trade restrictions will exist in the real world.”

U.S. auto industry

Suppose that a very high tariff were placed on steel imported into the United States. How would that affect employment in the U.S. auto industry? (Hint: Think about how higher steel prices will impact the cost of producing automobiles.)


Trade barriers to keep out cheap Japanese goods, Why or why not?

It is often alleged that Japanese producers receive subsidies from their government permitting them to sell their products at a low price in the U.S. market. Do you think we should erect trade barriers to keep out cheap Japanese goods if the source of their low price is governmental subsidies? Why or why not?

Excess of imports

The U.S. is suffering from an excess of imports. Cheap foreign products are driving American firms out of business and leaving the U.S. economy in shambles.” Evaluate this view.

Imports and export tariffs

Tariffs not only reduce the volume of imports, they also reduce the volume of exports.” Is this statement true or false? Explain your answer.