Germany and Argentina produce two goods: barley and legumes.
They are deciding whether they should engage in trade. Given their
agricultural resources, each can produce the following:
Germany: 1200 barley OR 1200 legumes
Argentina: 700 barley OR 1200 legumes.
Imagine Sierra Leone had the following production: 100 barley OR 100 legumes. Which of the following is true?
Sierra Leone can trade with Argentina and both countries can gain from trade. |
Sierra Leone can trade with Germany and both countries can gain from trade. |
Sierra Leone can trade with Argentina but only Sierra Leone can gain from trade. |
More than one answer is correct |
Sierra Leone can trade with Argentina and both countries can gain from trade. |
Explanation:
For Argentina, the opportunity cost for 1 unit of barley = 1200/700 = 1.71 units of legumes
For Argentina, the opportunity cost for 1 unit of legume = 700/1200 = 0.58 units of barleys
For Sierra Leone, the opportunity cost for 1 unit of barley = 100/100 = 1 units of legumes
For Sierra Leone, the opportunity cost for 1 unit of legume = 100/100 = 1 units of barleys
So, Argentina has a lower opportunity cost in the production of legumes and Sierra Leone has a lower opportunity cost in the production of barleys. Therefore, Argentina has a comparative advantage in the production of legumes and Sierra Leone has a comparative advantage in the production of barleys. Both these countries can trade and both can be benefitted.
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