Problems of International Trade. Case Study: Nigeria

The exchange of goods and services between international borders or territories is known as international trade. It allows countries to use excess resources, if the resource can be produced more efficiently then it can be sold cheaply. If a country lacks access to certain resources they can obtain that resource through the aid of international trade.

Trade is how goods or services are exchanged between countries. An exchange is broken down into two categories: imports and exports. Imports are goods and services coming into a country; whereas, goods and services flowing out of a country are exports. When different countries trade with each other, they develop a trade deficit, a trade surplus, or a trade balance. A trade deficit is when the value of imports exceeds the value of exports, and a trade surplus is when the value of exports exceeds the value of imports. A trade balance is when imports and exports are traded at equal rates/amounts.

From an academic standpoint, economists overall believe that free trade would benefit the economy more than instituting tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers. However, the reality is quite different. Politically, tariffs help to strike a balance between social welfare and the politicians’ goals. One theory is that campaign contributions are needed for re-election; and to achieve these funds, politicians will weigh this need against welfare-reducing protection for industry lobbyists (Magee, 2011). The models would suggest that the tariffs should actually be much higher than they are due to the low efficiency cost of tariffs compared to the substantial gains provided for the producers (Magee, 2011). However, developed countries actually have very low tariffs. There are six possible explanations for why developed countries have such low tariffs when the political theories behind why we have tariffs at all would suggest they should be higher.

In conclusion, the topic of free trade is difficult to debate and often controversial as it has advantages but also disadvantages. Nonetheless, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits as it one, contravenes basic moral ideologies, two, makes the rich, richer, and the poor, poorer, and three, jeopardizes our declining environment. All in all, free trade will neither support nor sustain our country to be ethical, prosperous or

While many see free trade beneficial not only to America, but to all nations as well, others would argue that the entire concept of free trade is now a major misconception. What has become commonplace in the U.S. economy is now “tradition” enough to discourage the very thought of disagreeing with free trade. The incorporation of this government deal has long since been a part of history, making it hard for one to plea the case of operating otherwise. Whether viewed as good or bad, analyzing and recognizing the various factors of free trade only serves as a fundamental measure in strengthening the argument.

First, one of the restrictions to free trade is tariff. According to Menlo-Atherton High School (2015), a tax that is put on imported goods from abroad is known as tariff. Tariff is used to raise the price of imported goods so that the domestic producers can sell their similar goods at higher prices. Domestic government will be the one collecting the money that is received from tariff. Protective tariffs and revenue tariffs are the types of tariff. Protective tariffs are put on imported goods so that it will be more expensive. It is used to protect the domestic industries from the competition of foreign firms. Revenue tariffs are used to raise money for government (Menlo-Atherton High School, 2015). The benefit of tariffs are uneven due to tariff is a tax. Besides that government is benefited, domestic industries are benefit from it as well due to the reduction of competition from foreign productions. It is because of the increased prices of the imported products. However, it is unfortunate for the consumers because the higher price of goods is due to higher import price. Tariff tends to bring advantages for government and producers but not to the

There has been a dual view of trade since the time of the ancient Greeks. The two sides of these philosophers views are the recognition of the benefits of international exchange, but that there is concern that certain domestic industries would be harmed by foreign

International trade is the exchange of goods, capital, and services across international borders or territories. In most countries this trade represents a significant share of their (GDP) gross domestic product. This type of trade has political, economic, and social importance to all nations involved. There are many factors surrounding international trade, such as, advantages, limitations, foreign exchange rates, and others. As we review these factors, this will allow us to better understand how international trade truly functions.

One problem that trade barriers have caused is that they increase the cost of enterprises, affecting the international competitiveness of enterprises. For a long time, due to the low technological content of Chinese export products, mainly to win international markets at low prices, the developed countries have adopted some ways, such as the green subsidy system, the green packaging system, the green fortress and so on. By imposing import surcharges, increasing the cost of

“Trade freedom reflects an economy’s openness to the import of goods and services from around the world and the citizen’s ability to interact freely as buyer or seller in the international marketplace” (Miller and Kim, 2011). Tariffs, export taxes, trade quotas, trade bans, and other trade restrictions all hinder the free flow of foreign and domestic commerce. Tariffs and export taxes increase prices to both

     International trade is defined as trade between two or more partners from different countries in the exchange of goods and services. In order to understand International trade, we need to first know and understand what trade is, which is the buying and selling of products between different countries. International Trade simply is globalization of the world and enables countries to obtain products and services from other countries effortlessly and expediently.

The theory of comparative advantage explains the benefit of free trade. According to this theory by David Ricardo in the early 19th century, “Both countries will be better off if each specializes in the industry where it has a comparative advantage, and if the two trade with one another.” (Citation) International trade opens up markets to foreign supplier, and domestic companies need to improve their efficiency, boost productivity, and lower cost to increase competitiveness instead of enjoying monopolies or oligopolies that enabled them to keep prices well above marginal costs. On the other hand, international trade also offers domestic companies bigger demands and broader markets; therefore more jobs relevant to export have been created. Furthermore, jobs in the US supported by goods exports pay 13-18 percent more than the US national average (ustr.gov).

Free trade has long be seen by economists as being essential in promoting effective use of natural resources, employment, reduction of poverty and diversity of products for consumers. But the concept of free trade has had many barriers to over come. Including government practices by developed countries, under public and corporate pressures, to protect domestic firms from cheap foreign products. But as history has shown us time and time again is that protectionist measures imposed by governments has almost always had negative effects on the local and world economies. These protectionist measures also hurt developing countries trying to inter into the international trade markets.

Nigeria is an Agricultural and oil rich nation but characterised by Political instability, corruption, poor

International trade is the exchange or trade of merchandise, capital and services across the world. For many countries, these exchanges can represent a very important share of their GDP (Gross Domestic Product).