📚 Learning Guide
Absolute and Comparative Advantage
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In a trade scenario, if Country A has an absolute advantage in producing both wheat and cloth, what is the most likely outcome regarding trade with Country B, which has a comparative advantage in cloth?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Country A will stop producing both goods entirely.

B

Country B will export cloth to Country A and import wheat.

C

Country A will export both goods to Country B.

D

Country B will not engage in trade with Country A.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

In this trade scenario, Country A can produce both wheat and cloth more efficiently than Country B, meaning it has an absolute advantage. However, Country B has a comparative advantage in cloth, which means it can produce cloth at a lower opportunity cost compared to wheat. This situation encourages both countries to trade, as Country A can focus on producing more wheat, while Country B specializes in cloth. For example, if Country A produces 10 tons of wheat or 5 tons of cloth, and Country B can produce 2 tons of cloth or 1 ton of wheat, it benefits both countries to trade their specialized goods. As a result, Country A will export wheat to Country B, and Country B will export cloth to Country A, leading to increased overall production and consumption for both countries.

Detailed Explanation

Country B can make cloth more efficiently than wheat. Other options are incorrect because This suggests Country A will stop making everything, which isn't true; This option assumes Country A will sell everything it makes.

Key Concepts

Absolute Advantage
Comparative Advantage
International Trade
Topic

Absolute and Comparative Advantage

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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