(SOLUTION) ECON312N Week 8 Discussion: International Trade

Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

  • Textbook: all chapters
  • Lesson
  • Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)

Initial Post Instructions
Choose one of the following options:

Option 1: Global Trade and the Quality of Life
It has been said that global trade improves the quality of life. Using research, argue either for or against the statement that global trade improves the quality of life.

For the initial post, address the following:

  • Do you believe that this statement is true? Why or why not?
  • Are there examples of global trade lessening the quality of life in a particular country or region? Provide details to support your answer.
  • Does everyone benefit equally from global trade? Why or why not?

Option 2: International Agreements and Organizations
Choose one of the following agreements or organizations to address trading concerns:

  • The World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
  • The World Bank
  • North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)/United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
  • The European Union (EU)
  • The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

For the initial post, address the following questions:

  • What has this agreement or organization done to promote trade?
  • What would business be like without this agreement?
  • What countries are benefiting most from the organization or agreement?
  • Are any countries hurt by the organization or agreement? Why or why not?
  • What recommended changes would you provide?

Follow-Up Post Instructions

Respond to at least one peer. Respond to a peer who chose the option you did not choose. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification. 

Writing Requirements

  • Minimum of 2 posts (1 initial & 1 follow-up)
  • Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside scholarly source)
  • APA format for in-text citations and list of references

SOLUTION

  I cannot say that I clearly have an opinion from one side or the other. I agree that global trade can improve the quality of life. It allows us ways to import goods and services that we may not be able to produce. It may cheaper for other countries to produce the product than for us to attempt it. Adam Smith stated, It is the maxim of every prudent master of a family, never to attempt to make at home what it will cost him more to make than to buy. What is prudence in the conduct of every private family, can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom. If a foreign country can supply us with a commodity cheaper than we ourselves can make it, better buy it of them with some part of the produce of our own industry.” (Wolla and Anna Esenther, 2017). I agree with this statement. If you can pay someone else for the product at cheaper price then what it would cost you to produce it, then why not? This not only saves us money, but time as well. The products can then be sold at a higher rate and money can be made. Then in return this is an increase for our economy. I used to work for a computer drafting business prior to my nursing days. We did computer drafting for the local phone companies. After 5 years of working for the company they laid all of us off. They were able to ship all the work we were doing to a company in India for less pay. This I understand, but I also see it as a lose of jobs for your American people. If we had to rely on producing our own products then this would produce more jobs for our country…. Please click the purchase button to access the entire copy at $5