International Trade

Since the resources are difficult to move between nations, the goods must move.  The nations have abundance of land relative to labour will concentrate on “land intensive” commodities such as wheat, meat etc. They can exchange these goods with “labour intensive” or   “capital intensive” producing countries or vice versa.   

Therefore,   international trade takes place because of the difference in the
(1) Availability of resource endowments and
(2) Their Productive efficiency, both labour and capital.

International trade involves the exchange of goods and services across international boundaries.  International trade is different from Home trade because of many reasons.
(1) There may be restrictions by governments or international organizations on the movement of products. 
(2) Some countries may not allow the products to be sold outside their countries. 
(3) Communication may be difficult during the trading process.
(4)  Higher costs due to greater transport cost.
(5) Need to translate advertising message and related information to concerned language.
(6) Explore and keep up-to-date information regarding the changes in taste and fashion in the foreign markets.
(7) The requirement to change currencies of concerned countries.
(8) Differences in technical and legal requirements.
(9) Extra risk involved including wars, famines etc. 
Firms and countries specialise and involve in international trade because they believe that the benefits outweigh the costs.  The overall benefit, that is, by the use of division of labour the world output, would increase and hence raises the material standard of living of the people.   
Firms (1) benefits by way of access to larger markets enabling them to take greater advantage of economies of scale. 
(2) They can purchase raw materials and components cheaply.   

Consumers (1) benefits that they are able to get more choice from abroad [purchase goods not made in their own counties] 
(2) greater access to variety of products 
(3) can benefit from increased competition in the form of lower price and better quality.  
International trade takes place because of the difference in the availability of resource endowments and their Productive efficiency, both labour and capital.   Firms and countries specialize and involve in international trade because they believe that the benefits outweigh the costs.  

The benefit derived by countries from international trade may be considered and studied using 
(1) The concept of absolute advantage and 
(2) Principle of comparative cost.  
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