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Should The United States Increase International Trade?

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International trade is believed by economists to be good for both countries involved. It promotes financial and economic growth throughout the world. It creates jobs, sustains economies, improves standards of living, promotes competition, lowers prices, and strengthens the bond between nations. In 2012, approximately 4.9 million people were directly or indirectly holding jobs that were associated with the production of goods and services sold to other countries (cite). Many of these jobs are manufacturing jobs that produce large amounts of products to sell to other countries. This is called an export. Export sales help maintain high levels of employment by breaking down barriers of unfair taxes. With opportunity to buy product from other countries, prices remain competitive. …show more content…

In fact, America is the third largest exporter. In 2017, the United States sold $5.2 trillion in goods to other countries (theblanace). According to David Thomas (2013), international trade supports 39.8 million U.S. jobs. Foreign owned companies open facilities in the United States as well and employ 5.8 million workers in the United States. Increased exportation generates new business while importation supports jobs. Importation supports jobs by keeping prices low. Prices can remain low because the cost of production is lower in poorer countries. This directly relates to sustaining the economies of both the rich and poor. International trade helps alleviate poverty particularly in developing countries. With the additional revenue from selling their product, they can improve the standard of living in their country as well as create jobs for its citizens. The United Nations claims that trade can help lift 140 million people out of poverty. This is done so by exportation of goods. Research has shown that exporters are more productive than companies that rely solely on domestic trades (the

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