14) although the united states has realized merchandise trade deficits since the early
1970s, its goods-and-services balance has always registered surplus.
a.true
b.false
15) the formation of the european monetary union is expected to entail benefits for
member countries which include all of the following except:
a.greater certainty for investors within the emu
b.lower costs of transactions within the emu
c.independent monetary policies run by the central bank of each member country
d.enhanced competition among companies in member countries
16) a potential disadvantage of freely floating exchange rates is that there would:
a.exist excessive amounts of hedging in the foreign exchange markets
b.be a lack of incentive to initiate exchange arbitrage
c.be excessive amounts of destabilizing speculation
d.exist a devaluation bias in the exchange markets
17) in the long run, competitiveness depends on an industry’s natural resources, its stock
of machinery and equipment, and the skill of its workers in creating goods that people
want to buy.
a.true
b.false
18) a nation may experience debt-servicing problems because of
a.pursuit of improper macroeconomic policies
b.inadequate borrowing
c.adverse economic events
d.both a and c