Final answer:
The United States operates within a global free trade system, with a focus on overall trade balance rather than just exports. Smaller economies rely more on trade, while larger economies like the U.S. can be more self-sufficient.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States operates within a global free trade system, but its overall trade balance is more important than exports alone. While the U.S. exports a significant amount of goods and services, the share of exports in proportion to the U.S. economy is below the global average. This is because the U.S. economy can contain more of the division of labor within its national borders, allowing for greater self-sufficiency. Smaller economies, on the other hand, rely on trade to take advantage of division of labor and specialization.