Question

Suppose that Italy and Austria both produce fish and shoes. Italy's opportunity cost of producing a pair of shoes is 5 pounds of fish while Austria's opportunity cost of producing a pair of shoes is 10 pounds of fish. By comparing the opportunity cost of producing shoes in the two countries, you can tell thatItaly has a comparative advantage in the production of shoes andAustria has a comparative advantage in the production of fish. Suppose that Italy and Austria consider trading shoes and fish with each other. Italy can gain from specialization and trade as long as it receives more than5 pounds of fish for each pair of shoes it exports to Austria. Similarly, Austria can gain from trade as long as it receives more than1/10 pair of shoes for each pound of fish it exports to Italy. Based on your answer to the last question, which of the following prices of trade (that is, price of shoes in terms of fish) would allow both Austria and Italy to gain from trade?
a. 9 pounds of fish per pound of cheese.
b. 18 pounds of fish per pound of cheese.
c. 3 pounds of fish per pound of cheese.
d. 1 pound of fish per pound of cheese.

Answer 1

Answer:

a. 9 pounds of fish per pound of cheese.

Explanation:

The gain from trade would arise at the time when the price of the cheese with respect to the fish is more than 5 and less than 10

So according to the given option the first option is met the criteria

The 9 is more than 5 and less than 10

And, the other options does not met the criteria

So, the first option i.e. a is correct

And, all other options are wrong