8.4 Small Group Discussion - Trade Deficits and Trade Surpluses The U.S. has trade deficits with some countries and trade surpluses with others. The U.S. has experienced trade deficits and trade surpluses in the same good or service at different periods of time. Think about the trade balance in the U.S. as you follow the steps below to create a graph and answer questions that follow. Step 1: Go to hitps/ffred stlouisfed orgirelease/tables ?rid=49& eid=4#snid=12. Step 2: Click the box next to Line 5 in the table: > Exports > Foods, feeds and beverages, Step 3: Click the box next to Line 35 in the table: > Imports > Foods, feeds and beverages. Step 4: Scroll down to the bottom of the table and click on \"Add to Graph.\" Answer the questions below: When did the U.S. have a trade deficit in foods, feeds and beverages? When did the U.S_ have a trade surplus in foods, feeds and beverages? How would an appreciation of the U.S_ dollar impact, all other things equal, the volume of imports and exports? In considering which is better, a trade deficit or a trade surplus, the best answer is \"it depends.\" Describe one or two important considerations to consider when evaluating whether a trade deficit or a trade surplus would be better for a country. Don't forget to come back to the discussion to read your classmates' responses and comment and/or ask questions that further the discussion. In addition to posting your answers to the initial questions, you need to make a minimum of two follow-up posts that further the discussion in order to eam full credit. The initial pest can earn you 15 points and your responses (minimum of twe) can earn you another 15 points. See the Rubric and Additional Infermation under the Syllabus, Rubrics, Additional Information menu button for more detail about expectations and grading. Specifically, look at the suggestions for how to construct your replies to other students' posts. These are intended to help you use critical thinking and critical reading strategies to construct your posts