Question

Which of these would cause job loss in the United States? a) a tariff-reduction agreement b) insourcing by a Japanese company c) inexpensive imported televisions d) a high minimum wage in another country

Answer 1

Option c) inexpensive imported televisions would likely cause job loss in the U.S., as domestic producers may lose sales to cheaper imported goods, potentially leading to layoffs within American factories.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which of these options would cause job loss in the United States. The correct answer is c) inexpensive imported televisions. When a country imports inexpensive goods, such as televisions, from another country, it can lead to consumers preferring these cheaper options over domestically-produced items. As a result, sales of domestically-produced goods may decrease, potentially leading to job losses in US factories that cannot compete with the lower-priced imports on cost.

As for how U.S. politicians have historically responded to concerns about trade practices, in the 1980s when there were public concerns that Japan was pursuing unfair trade practices, option b) They pushed to limit Japanese car exports to the United States was the actual response of U.S. politicians to protect domestic industries.

Answer 2

Inexpensive imported televisions could potentially cause job loss in the United States because local manufacturers might be outcompeted by lower-priced imports, leading to downsizing or plant closures.

Step-by-step explanation:

Analyzing the potential causes of job loss in the United States, looking at the given options:

• Inexpensive imported televisions could lead to job loss because local manufacturers might not be able to compete with lower-priced imports, potentially resulting in plant closures or downsizing.
• Insourcing by a Japanese company typically involves bringing jobs into the country, which would not lead to job loss.
• A tariff-reduction agreement could theoretically lead to job gains or losses depending on various economic factors and the nature of the industries affected.
• A high minimum wage in another country is less likely to directly cause job loss in the United States and might actually encourage businesses to stay or expand domestically.

Based on these options, the most clear-cut potential cause of job loss would be the introduction of inexpensive imported televisions, as it can disrupt domestic industries that cannot compete on price.