The Global Financial Crisis and Protectionism

Analyse the effects of domestic and global free trade and protection policies on the Australian economy

For Example: Suppose a company cuts their workweek from 40 hours to 30 while keeping the wage the same. This will open up jobs, possibly making the total man hours the similar to before. There was no benefit for the company to do that at all. All that happened was that the employed had given up their pay for the unemployed. On the other hand, if the company reduced the work week and increased the wage, the firm would have to raise prices and cut profits. The biggest misconception of protectionism is the fact that merchants are looking at the short term benefits rather than the long term impact. When placing tariffs on common goods productivity and wages are reduced. In a protected industry it is contrast for wage and efficiency, but fall for the overall

In the Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith talks about international trade and subsequent government policies which became increasingly significant throughout modern history. Protectionism is the term for economic policies of restraining trade between countries when they want to protect their domestic industries from foreign competition. Trades nowadays have different forms and methods and involve more businessmen as well as consumers, which is why trade diplomats are looking to regional agreements. The US experienced two major economic declines during the 20th century, both of which had much to do with international trade. Smith mentioned tariffs in the 18th century, but the role and forms of protectionism have changed across time, so we should know whether the development of economy should actually be correlated with or decided by the political sector of the society and when protectionism will benefit or hurt economy.

1. Should labor practices in another country be a relevant consideration in international trade? Why or why not?

Protectionism by way of the price mechanisms such as tariffs, subsides, quotas, export licences and import duties (Rugman, 2009) are just some of the measures which can seriously impact on a foreign company. For example the American steel industry was afforded protection under the Bush administration when large tariffs were imposed on foreign steel imports in order to safeguard the jobs of the national steel workers (Mankiw and Taylor, 2008).

Meanwhile, according to Morelock, J (2017) Tariff has a clear number of results that may be an advantage to some parties, while being a significant disadvantage to others. Tariff have an impact on promoting American products, when the U.S government chooses to place a tariff on an import good, the producer can choose to reduce their price to compensate for the tariff or to pass on the cost to the consumer. (2) increase the government revenue, the U.S. government collect revenue in order to economically support its function. (3) discourages trade, when American consumers choose to buy a lower-priced American product, foreign producers become disadvantaged, ultimately leading to less trade with the U.S. Foreign producers are forced to reduce their prices to compete with similar American products. (4) reduces consumer choice, individual consumer choice remains as one of the greatest consumer benefits of international trade. When tariffs are placed on imported goods, the increase prices and reduced trade prohibit individuals from all choices that could be available in the market.

This is because many developed countries may use protectionist measures to prevent developing countries from having free access to certain markets (which may include the markets for the developing countries’ primary product) thus making it more difficult for poorer countries to grow and develop.

The quote, “Economists still agree that Smoot-Hawley and the ensuing tariff wars were highly counterproductive and contributed to the depth and length of the global Depression” (http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/bernanke20130325a.htm) shows that the Americans original plan of protecting their own businesses only hindered them.

One of the greatest international economic debates of all time has been the issue of free trade versus protectionism. Proponents of free trade believe in opening the global market, with as few restrictions on trade as possible. Proponents of protectionism believe in concentrating on the welfare of the domestic economy by limiting the open-market policy of the United States. However, what effects does this policy have for the international market and the other respective countries in this market? The question is not as complex as it may seem. Both sides have strong opinions representing their respective viewpoints, and even the population of the United States is divided when it comes to taking a stand in

Protectionism, especially in scenarios with continued high unemployment and economic malaise; India exploits scrutiny of India’s own restrictions on inward foreign investment. The rules are particularly tough on foreign investment in banks.

According to Froman (2014) trade is the best way to strengthen the United States economy and prosper on a global level. It argues that the “strategic importance of trade” is important and continues to grow. Froman (2014) backs up his argument by explaining the role that trade has played in U.S. history, such as as trade’s ability to alliances and create relationships with other countries. In the article, Froman (2014) uses the example “in the wake of World War II, when the United States provided more access to Western European countries and Japan than it received from them, in an attempt to speed their reconstruction and solidify their integration into an open, rules-based international order” (p.1).

Business, consumers and employees are more weak to downturns in the economies of trading partners. For example, recession in the USA leads to decrease in demand for UK’s exports, leading to falling in export incomes, lower GDP and incomes, decrease in domestic demand and rising in unemployment.

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.

Many economists today argue that the fewer tariffs and barriers there are to foreign trade, the better everyone fares. That view underlies the agreements that the United States and 152 other countries have made as members of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Among other

In the world, several international organizations are created for peaceful relationship and benefits from each other. Recently, a big news from the United Kingdom has caused people in a panic. That’s its withdrawal from the European Union, an international organization comprising 28 European countries and governing common economic, social, and security policies. This decision is widely known as Brexit. This has affected the operation of the international business market between countries in Europe, especially the United Kingdom. Some people are happy about it and some do not. The trading and workers in the United Kingdom therefore have significant impacts related to the trade organization, trade barrier, arguments for trade Barriers, and imports.