In: Economics
Which of the following can never be true?
Americans in 2019 had a comparative advantage over the Swedes in producing lumber but in 2020 have a comparative disadvantage to the Swedes in producing lumber.
Americans have a comparative disadvantage in the production of every good or service that it is possible to produce.
Americans’ average wages rise when Americans start trading more with low-wage countries.
China’s current-account surplus and China’s capital-account deficit both increase simultaneously and by the exact same amount.
Ans: Option B: Americans have a comparative disadvantage in the production of every good or service that it is possible to produce.
Explanation:
In a 2 country - 2 product space, the theory of comparative advantage states that if a country has a comparative advantage in any particular product then the other country must have a comparative advantage in the production of another good. This is why it is termed as comparative advantage i.e. it suggests whether a country has a comparatively better position in producing any good ( which means that country has to sacrifice less of another good for the production of that good in which the country has a comparative advantage).
No, matter if we move from 2country-2product space to N country-M Product space the theory remains same and thus any particular country among N countries must have a comparative advantage in the production of at least any (may have more) of the M products.
And for other options:
In the case of Option A, it can happen if the technology or labor productivity improved somehow.
For Option D it is a must for maintaining Balanced BoP.
Again option C is pbvious too.