Answer:
Assume the standard trade model with two countries (Alpha and Beta), two goods (food
and drink), and two factors of production (land and labor). Further assume that Alpha is
relatively labor-abundant and drink is relatively labor-intensive. The pre-trade wage rate
relative to land rents in Alpha is _____ the relative wage rate in Beta.
a. greater than
b. less than
c. equal to
d. double
Answer:
Suppose country A had been traditionally enjoying a comparative advantage in the
production of good X. As a result most of the large firms manufacturing and exporting
good X were concentrated in country A. However, recently it has been observed that the
comparative advantage in the production of good X has shifted to country B owing
better factor availability and lower input prices. Some new firms are contemplating to
start operating in country B. Which of the following conditions probably must be
fulfilled to ascertain that these new firms will enjoy cost advantage over the established
firms in country A?
a. The number of firms to begin operation in country B must be greater than the number
of firms operating in country A.
b. The consumers in country B should have a relatively elastic demand compared to the
consumers in country A.