ECN 104 Chapter 9: International Trade
Document Summary
pw = the world price of a good, the price that prevails in world markets. If pd < pw, country has comparative advantage in the good. under free trade, country exports the good. If pd > pw, country does not have comparative advantage. under free trade, country imports the good. a small economy is a price taker in world markets: its actions have no effect on pw. canada suits the definition of a small economy. when a small economy engages in free trade, no seller would accept less than pw, since she could sell the good for pw in world markets. no buyer would pay more than pw, since he could buy the good for pw in world markets. producers sell to a larger market, may achieve lower costs by producing on a larger scale. competition from abroad may reduce market power of domestic firms, which would increase total welfare.