Question

An article in the New Yorker magazine states, "the main burden of trade-related job losses and wage declines has fallen on middle- and lower-income Americans. But...the very people who suffer most from free trade are often, paradoxically, among its biggest beneficiaries." Explain how it is possible that middle- and lower-income Americans are both the biggest losers and at the same time the biggest winners from free trade. Source: James Surowiecki, "The Free-Trade Paradox," New Yorker, May 26, 2008. It would be possible for middle- and lower-income Americans to be both the biggest losers and at the same time the biggest winners from free trade if they are the ones most likely to O A. work in industries that do not have an absolute advantage and purchase those goods in O B. work in industries that have a comparative advantage and purchase those goods in which O C. work in industries that produce at higher total cost than do other countries and purchase 0 D. work in industries that do not have a comparative advantage and purchase those goods in O E. work in industries that produce at higher opportunity cost than in other countries and which other countries have an absolute advantage. other countries have a comparative advantage. those goods that can be produced at lower total cost in the United States. which the United States has a comparative advantage. purchase those goods that can be produced at lower opportunity cost in other countries.

Answer 1

Answer:

Option E.

Explanation:

In free trade, a country with a comparative advantage in a good produces that good in the long-term. Therefore, if these people are working in an industry in which it has a higher opportunity cost i.e. it does not have a comparative advantage; they will eventually see job loss or fall in income or both. On other hand, when they purchase goods which has lower opportunity costs in foreign, they get access to these at a lower price and can purchase a higher quantity. So, these people are both harmed and benefitted by free trade.