Suppose That in Vietnam, a Worker Can Produce Either 16

question 90

Essay

Suppose that in Vietnam, a worker can produce either 16 units of cloth or 2 bicycles, while in China, a worker can produce either 20 units of cloth or 5 bicycles.
a. Which country has an absolute advantage in cloth production? In bicycle production?
b. What is the opportunity cost of 1 unit of cloth in Vietnam? In China?
c. What is the opportunity cost of 1 bicycle in Vietnam? In China?
d. Which country has a comparative advantage in cloth production? In bicycle production?
e. Suppose each country has 1,000 workers. Currently, each country devotes 40 percent of its labor force to cloth production and 60 percent to bicycle production. What is the output of cloth and bicycles for each country and what is the total output of cloth and bicycles between the two countries?
f. Suppose each country specializes in the production of the good in which it has a comparative advantage. What is the total output of cloth and bicycles in the two countries?
g. Provide a numerical example to show how Vietnam and China can both gain from trade. Assume that the terms of trade are established at 6 units of cloth for 1 bicycle.

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Definitions:

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A fee paid to an agent or employee for transacting a piece of business or performing a service.

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