Question

Why is international trade better for all countries than an attempt for each country to produce everything it needs?

Answer 1

International trade is better for all countries because it creates a global market in which all countries can trade based on their individual abilities.

No country is able nor it has the resources necessary to produce all the needed goods on its own. In order to do so, natural resources, labor market and manufactures would have to be working perfectly all the time.

Most countries share their trading business with others, exchanging material, labor force or the already produced goods. This way, each country does what it knows it does best and the poorer, not so developed nations are taken into consideration as well. This creates an international cooperation of nations that support each other in difficult times and provides for stability in the world's economy, enhancing fair competition, free labor movement and fair prices.