You Are Reading an Editorial in Your Local Newspaper

question 8

Essay

You are reading an editorial in your local newspaper. The editorial says: "The United States had a trade deficit of $18.4 billion in February 2008. This is a clear indication to our leaders that we must renegotiate our trade agreements with China to make them fairer for the American worker." What part of this editorial is positive and what part is normative?

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Definitions:

Expenses

Costs incurred by a business in the process of earning revenue, including operational costs, salaries, and utilities.

Retained Earnings

Part of a company's profit that is held or retained and saved for future use, reinvestment, or to pay debt rather than being paid out as dividends to shareholders.

Common Stock

A type of security that represents ownership in a corporation, entitling the holder to vote on corporate matters and receive dividends.

Statement of Stockholders' Equity

A financial statement that shows changes in the value of a company's shareholders' equity over a specific period through items such as net income, dividend payments, and share repurchases.