/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Q1. Assume that the comparative-cost... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Assume that the comparative-cost ratios of two products鈥攂aby formula and tuna fish鈥攁re as follows in the nations of Canswicki and Tunata:

Canswicki: 1 can baby formula 鈮 2 cans tuna fish

Tunata: 1 can baby formula 鈮 4 cans tuna fish

In what product should each nation specialize? Which of the following terms of trade would be acceptable to both nations: (a) 1 can baby formula 鈮 2 1/2 cans tuna fish; (b) 1 can baby formula 鈮 1 can tuna fish; (c) 1 can baby formula 鈮 5 cans tuna fish?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Canswicki should specialize in baby formula, and Tunata should specialize in tuna fish.

The term of trade that is accepted will be (a).

Step by step solution

01

Step 1. Comparative advantage

The comparative advantage on any product will be when the opportunity cost of producing the product is less than the competitor.

The opportunity cost of producing baby formula will be:

Canswicki=2cansoftunafish1canofbabyformula=2cansoftunafishTunata=4cansoftunafish1canofbabyformula=4cansoftunafish

Canswicki has a comparative advantage in the production of baby formula.

The opportunity cost of producing tuna fish will be,

Canswicki=12cansofbabyformulaTunata=14cansofbabyformula

Tunata has a comparative advantage in the production of tuna fish.

02

Step 2. Explanation for acceptable terms of trade

The acceptable terms of trade will be when the opportunity cost of both Canswicki and Tunata will be between the terms of trade.

  1. The terms of trade will be acceptable. For Canswicki, if it does not trade, it can produce 2 tuna fish cans for 1 baby formula, and if it trades 1 baby formula, then it can get 2.5 cans of tuna fish; hence by trade, Canswicki is better off. For Tunata, if it does not trade, then it can produce 1 baby formula can for 4 tuna fish cans, and if the trade for 1 baby formula, then 2.5 cans of tuna fish to be given up; hence, it is better off by trade.

  2. The terms of trade will not be acceptable. For Canswicki, if it does not trade, it can produce 2 tuna fish cans for 1 baby formula, and if it trades 1 baby formula, then it can get 1 can of tuna fish; hence, it will not trade. They can produce 2 tuna fish cans by giving up 1 baby formula without trade.

  3. The terms of trade will be acceptable. For Tunata, if it does not trade, it can produce 1 baby formula can for 4 tuna fish cans, and if they trade for 1 baby formula, then 5 cans of tuna fish will be given up; hence, it is worse off by trade. They can produce 1 baby formula can by giving 4 cans of tuna fish without trade.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The following hypothetical production possibilities tables are for China and the United States. Assume that before specialization and trade the optimal product mix for China is alternative B and for the United States is alternative U.


China Production Alternatives

Product

A

B

C

D

E

F

Apparel (in thousands)

30

24

18

12

6

0

Chemicals (in tons)

0

6

12

18

24

30


U.S. Production Alternatives

Product

R

S

T

U

V

W

Apparel (in thousands)

10

8

6

4

2

0

Chemicals (in tons)

0

4

8

12

16

20

  1. Are comparative-cost conditions such that the two areas should specialize? If so, what product should each produce?

  2. What is the total gain in apparel and chemical output that would result from such specialization?

  3. What are the limits of the terms of trade? Suppose that the actual terms of trade are 1 unit of apparel for 1陆 units of chemicals and that 4 units of apparel are exchanged for 6 units of chemicals. What are the gains from specialization and trade for each nation?

How might protective tariffs reduce both the imports and the exports of the nation that levies tariffs? How might import competition lead to quality improvements and cost reductions by U.S. firms?

The accompanying hypothetical production possibilities tables are for New Zealand and Spain. Each country can produce apples and plums. Plot the production possibilities data for each of the two countries separately. Referring to your graphs, answer the following:

New Zealand鈥檚 Production Possibilities Table (Millions of Bushels)


Production Alternatives

Product

A

B

C

D

Apples

0

20

40

60

Plums

15

10

5

0


Spain鈥檚 Production Possibilities Table (Millions of Bushels)


Production Alternatives

Product

R

S

T

U

Apples

0

20

40

60

Plums

60

40

20

0

  1. What is each country鈥檚 cost ratio of producing plums and apples?

  2. Which nation should specialize in which product?

  3. Show the trading possibilities lines for each nation if the actual terms of trade are 1 plum for 2 apples. (Plot these lines on your graph.)

  4. Suppose the optimum product mixes before specialization and trade were alternative B in New Zealand and alternative S in Spain. What would be the gains from specialization and trade?

True or False. If Country B has an absolute advantage over Country A in producing bicycles, it will also have a comparative advantage over Country A in producing bicycles.

鈥淭he potentially valid arguments for tariff protection鈥攎ilitary self-sufficiency, infant industry protection, and diversification for stability鈥攁re also the most easily abused.鈥 Why are these arguments susceptible to abuse?

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Economics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.