Question

In the 1950s, imports and exports of goods and services constituted roughly 4% to 5% of U.S. GDP. In recent years, exports have accounted for approximately 12% of GDP, while imports have more than tripled to over 15% of GDP. Which of the following help to explain the increase in international trade and finance since the 1950s?

a. Better high-speed rail lines.
b. An increasing number of import quotas.
c. Services such as web conferencing and teleconferencing that facilitate international meetings.
d. International trade agreements that lower tariffs and import quotas.

Answer 1

a. Better high-speed rail lines.

c. Services such as web conferencing and teleconferencing that facilitate international meetings.

d. International trade agreements that lower tariffs and import quotas.

Step-by-step explanation:

Better high-speed rails have improved the speed and capacity to carry goods across countries thereby enabling imports to be done with more ease. This has increased both the exports to and imports for other countries.

Information Technology has also grown to the point where international meetings can be had online which means that trade agreements and contracts can be completed quickly and with more convenience so more trade is happening between companies in the U.S. and other nations.

Also international trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), have lowered tariffs such that it is cheaper to both export and import than it was so both measures grew.