Suppose That Elimination of Tariffs on Agricultural Products Means That

question 12

Essay

Suppose that elimination of tariffs on agricultural products means that 1,000 farm workers lose jobs that pay an average of $20,000 per year. At the same time, because of the importation of relatively cheaper foreign vegetables, 150 million consumers save $2 per year on their grocery bills.
a) What is the total income lost by farm workers because of the free trade?
b) What is the total dollar amount saved by all consumers combined?
c) Which is greater, the lost income or the consumer savings? Do the benefits of free trade out-weigh the costs in this simple example?
d) Which group is most likely to become politically involved over the issue of removing the tariffs, the farm workers or the consumers? Why?

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Definitions:

Unfairly Restricting

refers to practices or policies that unduly limit the freedoms or opportunities of individuals or entities, often in a manner that is deemed unjust or biased.

Anticompetitive Behavior

practices by businesses that reduce competition in the market, often scrutinized under antitrust laws.

Federal Law

Federal law refers to the body of law created by the federal government of a country, in the United States it is the law enacted by Congress.

Sherman Act

U.S. antitrust law aimed at promoting competition by prohibiting monopolies, cartels, and other practices that restrict free competition.