Final Answer:
The policy of imposing a $2 tax per unit on sellers will likely cause a leftward shift of the supply curve, leading to an increase in the price paid by consumers and a decrease in the equilibrium quantity traded in the market.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the government imposes a $2 tax on each unit sold by the sellers in the gluten-free breakfast cereal market, it directly affects the supply side of the market. The tax imposed on sellers acts as an increase in production costs for cereal manufacturers. Consequently, it leads to a rise in the marginal cost of production for every unit of cereal.
This increase in production costs causes the supply curve to shift to the left. The leftward shift of the supply curve results in a new equilibrium where the price paid by consumers increases. As the supply decreases due to the tax burden on the sellers, the price of gluten-free cereal will rise. This price increase is not equivalent to the full amount of the tax ($2) but will be shared between consumers and producers.
Simultaneously, due to the increased price and decreased supply, the quantity of gluten-free breakfast cereal traded in the market will decrease. This reduction in quantity is a direct consequence of the tax, as fewer units will be produced and sold at the new higher price point.
In summary, the $2 tax per unit imposed on sellers in the gluten-free breakfast cereal market will likely result in higher prices for consumers, a reduced quantity of cereal traded, and a leftward shift of the supply curve due to increased production costs for the manufacturers.