6
EconomicsModule 6 of 8

International Trade

5

Concepts

1

Formulas

1

Decisions

3

Quiz Questions

Key Concepts

5 concepts covered in this module.

Comparative Advantage

A country should produce goods where its opportunity cost is lowest. Even if one country is better at everything, both benefit from trade.

Absolute Advantage

Ability to produce a good using fewer resources. Less important than comparative advantage for determining trade patterns.

Trade Restrictions

Tariffs (taxes on imports), quotas (quantity limits), export subsidies, voluntary restraints. All reduce efficiency.

Effects of Tariffs

Higher domestic price, lower imports, domestic producers gain, consumers lose, government gains revenue, net deadweight loss.

Trade Agreements

Free trade areas, customs unions, common markets, economic unions. Progressive levels of economic integration.

Formulas

1 essential formulas for this module.

Terms of Trade

ToT = Export Price Index / Import Price Index × 100

Where: Improvement if ToT rises (exports become more valuable relative to imports)

Decision Frameworks

1 decision frameworks to guide your analysis.

Free trade vs Protectionism?

  • Free trade: maximizes global efficiency and consumer welfare
  • Protection: infant industries, national security, anti-dumping

Mind Map

Visual overview of how concepts connect in this module.

International Trade
Theory
Absolute advantage
Comparative advantage
Ricardian model
Heckscher-Ohlin
Restrictions
Tariffs
Quotas
Export subsidies
Voluntary export restraints
Integration Levels
Free trade area
Customs union
Common market
Economic union
Trade Effects
Consumer surplus
Producer surplus
Government revenue
Deadweight loss
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Comparative Advantage

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A country should produce goods where its opportunity cost is lowest. Even if one country is better at everything, both benefit from trade.
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