Asked by Michael Frank on May 28, 2024

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If the opportunity cost of corn to wheat is 3:1 in the United States and 5:1 in France, only the United States would benefit from trade if the actual terms of trade between corn and wheat were 2:1.

Opportunity Cost

The act of losing possible benefits from other routes when a single path is chosen.

Trade

The exchange of goods and services between individuals, businesses, or countries, which can be domestic or international in nature.

Corn

A cereal plant that yields large kernels on a cob, used as food for humans and livestock and as a raw material in industry.

  • Recognize the way disparate opportunity costs between countries facilitate mutual gains through trade.
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MS
Marcus SparksMay 30, 2024
Final Answer :
False
Explanation :
Both countries can benefit from trade if the terms of trade are between their respective opportunity costs. Since the actual terms of trade (2:1) are between the U.S. opportunity cost (3:1) and France's opportunity cost (5:1), both countries can specialize in the production of the good for which they have a comparative advantage and trade based on these terms, thereby gaining from trade.