Question

If a nation has a comparative disadvantage in the production of some commodity: Group of answer choices it cannot gain from international trade unless it has an absolute advantage in every other commodity. it can gain from international trade in that commodity only if it has an absolute advantage in that commodity. it cannot gain from international trade in the commodity. it can still gain from international trade in that commodity, by getting it at a lower opportunity cost than if it produced it domestically.

Answer 1

Answer:

it can still gain from international trade in that commodity, by getting it at a lower opportunity cost than if it produced it domestically.

Explanation:

A country has comparative disadvantage in production if it produces at a higher opportunity cost when compared to other countries.

The country with a  comparative disadvantage can gain from trade by trading the good with a country that has  comparative advantage in the production of that good. i.e. the country produces at a lower opportunity cost

For example, country A produces 10kg of beans and 5kg of rice. Country B produces 5kg of beans and 10kg of rice.  

for country A,  

opportunity cost of producing beans = 5/10 = 0.5

opportunity cost of producing rice = 10/5 = 2

for country B,  

opportunity cost of producing rice = 5/10 = 0.5

opportunity cost of producing beans = 10/5 = 2

Country B has a comparative disadvantage in the production of beans and country A has a comparative disadvantage in the production of rice

Country B should buy beans from A and A should buy rice from B