Most economists are optimistic about free trade. Ricardo showed that trade based on the principle ofcomparative advantageyields higher level of outputandconsumption.Hismajor assumption was that factors of production (capital, labor, technology)could not move across the borders. But resources does shift around the world. American companies have engaged inoutsourcing(offshoring)-- subcontracting work to a foreign companies or purchasing components vs manufacturing them at home. This is the form of specialization and trade. Some jobs in the U.S., such as medical technicians, call-center agents, software programmers, are at risk because of outsourcing. It benefitsworkers in China, India. Read thisarticleand watch thisvideoand comment on both.

https://fee.org/articles/outsourcing-is-bad#axzz2a7ZdsTTn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCc19xxqr_I

Do you agree with the author of the article? Why or why not? Does loss of jobs for some U.S. workers weaken the case for free trade?