Question
Assume two countries Argentina and Brazil that produce two goods, corn and wine. Assume that land is specific to corn, capital is specific to wine,
Assume two countries Argentina and Brazil that produce two goods, corn and wine. Assume that land is specific to corn, capital is specific to wine, and labor is free to move between the two industries.Assume that Brazil has a comparative advantage in corn, and Argentina has a comparative in wine. Brazil and Argentina sign a free trade agreement, and we want to study the consequences of this trade agreement.
a.(3 points) Now assume that corn is produced with labor and capital (instead of land). Moreover, Brazil and Argentina, as part of the agreement, implement reforms so that capital and labor become perfectly mobile across industries. Assume that wine is capital intensive relative to corn. Brazil still has comparative advantage in corn and Argentina in wine. Which group, capital owners or workers, are better off with the trade agreement in Brazil and in Argentina compared with autarky? Explain.
Step by Step Solution
There are 3 Steps involved in it
Step: 1
Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions
See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success
Step: 2
Step: 3
Ace Your Homework with AI
Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance
Get Started