Final answer:
Countries need to trade with regions that offer the best economic advantages, often determined by comparative advantage. High-income countries have less need for international trade, while low-income countries benefit substantially, promoting growth and consumer choice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Most countries need to trade with places where they can gain the most economic benefit often due to the concept of comparative advantage. High-income countries like the United States have a more self-sufficient economy and therefore a lower need for international trade, while smaller economies stand to benefit significantly from engaging in trade. For instance, in the European Union (EU), member countries trade with each other without barriers like tariffs and quotas, promoting easier and more profitable exchange among the member nations.
Low-income countries, due to their limited internal markets, gain more from international trade to leverage comparative advantage, achieve economies of scale, and increase competitive pressure on domestic firms. This encourages better goods at competitive prices for consumers. Countries that cannot easily trade within their own region or are economically small will most likely need to engage in international trade to diversify their economies and improve their economic standing.