International Trade - Applications

1. Find the most recent trends in trades statistics at www.whitehouse.gov/fsbr/international.html.

2. The tariff schedule for imported products is available online from the US Customs Service. Go to www.customs.ustreas.gov, and click on "Importing and Exporting", then "Rules and Regulations."

3. Differing views on the cost of sugar quotas are offered by the Sugar Alliance at www.sugar-alliance.org and by the Coalition for Sugar Reform at www.sugar-reform.org.

4. To see how detailed a trade pact can be, access the Nafta pact at www.nafta-sec-alena.org.

5. Does a tariff exist on the clothing you buy? Log on to dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/tariff2001.asp to find out. Type "clothing" as the category search word. Then access "worn clothing" and "other worn apparel." What is the value of the ad valorem tariff for nations that have most-favored-nations status with the US? What is the rate for nations without NTR status? In the United States, who gains and who loses from these tariffs? Explain.

6. This lesson presents a Case Study: "US International Trade in Goods and Services" (econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM215)

7. Read about "The Economics of Professional Sports: Comparative Advantage and Specialization" (econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=NN104)

8. Find out here what the World Trade Organization (WTO) controversy is all about. (econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM57)

9. What about the controversy over NAFTA? (North America Free Trade Agreement.) Read about it here. (econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM50)

10. Trade Wars? Read about "US and EU Go Bananas Over Trade." (econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM129)