Question

Most countries, including the United States, import substantial amounts of goods and services from other countries. Yet the chapter says that a nation can enjoy a high standard of living only if it can produce a large quantity of goods and services itself. Can you reconcile these two facts?

Answer 1

Answer:

The main determinant is the NET IMPORT, if the net import is higher than the net export then countries like the United States of America will have a low standard of living,while if the net export is higher than the net import then Countries like the United States of America will enjoy a high standard of living.

COMPARED TO NET EXPORTS, COUNTRIES LIKE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAVE A LOWER NET IMPORT WHICH GIVES THEM A POSITIVE BALANCE OF TRADE.

Explanation: THE VOLUME OF IMPORT IS NOT THE MAIN CONCERN, THE MAIN CONCERN IS THE VOLUME OF NET IMPORT COMPARED TO THE VOLUME OF NET EXPORT COUNTRIES LIKE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAVE A HIGHER NET EXPORT THAN NET IMPORT WHICH GIVES THEM TRADE ADVANTAGE AND A POSITIVE BALANCE OF TRADE. With a good balance of trade a country like the United States of America will maintain and enjoy a high standard of living as the volume of imports is always lower than the value of what is exported.