Final answer:
Barriers to international trade in services are generally considered to be higher than those for goods due to stringent local regulations and the need for close customer interaction in services.
Step-by-step explanation:
As compared to international trade in goods, barriers to international trade in services are generally considered to be higher. This is because services often require close customer interaction and are subject to local regulations, which can vary greatly from country to country and thus create more obstacles to trade.
The general trend of trade barriers over recent decades has been lower, as multilateral agreements and organizations like the World Trade Organization (WTO) have worked to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers. However, when comparing goods and services, restrictions on services often involve regulatory measures, standards, and licenses that are not as easily harmonized or reduced through trade negotiations. In contrast, trade in goods has benefited more from reductions in traditional barriers, such as tariffs.
These services can include intellectual property, professional services, banking, insurance, transportation, and telecommunications, which can all be affected by regulatory differences. Countries may restrict trade in services for a variety of reasons, including protecting domestic industries or national security concerns.