Question

Consider the following Specific Factors model. Suppose two countries, Home and Foreign, produce two goods, timber and televisions. Assume that land is specific to timber, capital is specific to televisions, and labor is free to move between the two industries. When the Home country moves into doing free trade with the Foreign country, the Home country exports timber. 16 points total, 2 points each.
For each statement below, determine whether it is true or false, and then briefly explain why?

a. The Home country produces only timber under free trade.
b. Going from closed economy to free trade, the opportunity cost of TV increases in the.
c. Labor employment increases for the TV industry in Home.
d. The workers’ purchasing power for TV increases in the Home country.
e. Capital owners are better off under free trade in the Home country.
f. After free trade, the rental rate for land increases relative to the price of TV in the Home country.
g. The marginal product of labor for the timber industry increases under free trade in the Home country.

Answer 1

Answer:

a. True

b. True

c. True

d. False

e. True

f. False

g. False

Explanation:

There are two countries which are about to enter into the free trade. Under the free trade circumstances the Home country will produce timber but it does not completely specializes in producing the timber. The labor is mobile factor which can move in the free trade therefore they will move towards their employability in the TV industry.