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International Trade - Theory and Policy, 2010a

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If the price of clothing had risen, the zero-profit line for clothing would have shifted right, causing an<br />

increase in the equilibrium wage rate <strong>and</strong> a decrease in the rental rate. Thus an increase in the price of<br />

clothing causes an increase in the payment to the factor used intensively in clothing production (labor)<br />

<strong>and</strong> a decrease in the payment to the other factor (capital).<br />

This gives us the Stolper-Samuelson theorem: an increase in the price of a good will cause an increase in<br />

the price of the factor used intensively in that industry <strong>and</strong> a decrease in the price of the other factor.<br />

KEY TAKEAWAYS<br />

<br />

The Stolper-Samuelson theorem shows there is a positive relationship between changes in the price of an<br />

output <strong>and</strong> changes in the price of the factor used intensively in producing that product.<br />

<br />

The Stolper-Samuelson theorem shows there is a negative relationship between changes in the price of an<br />

output <strong>and</strong> changes in the price of the factor not used intensively in producing that product.<br />

EXERCISES<br />

1. Consider an H-O economy in which there are two countries (United States <strong>and</strong> France), two goods (wine<br />

<strong>and</strong> cheese), <strong>and</strong> two factors (capital <strong>and</strong> labor). Suppose a decrease in the price of cheese causes a<br />

decrease in the wage rate in the U.S. economy. Which factor is used intensively in cheese production in<br />

France? Which H-O theorem is used to get this answer? Explain.<br />

2. State what is true about profit in the steel <strong>and</strong> clothing industry at the wage-rental<br />

combination given by the following points in Figure 5.4 "Zero Profit Lines in Clothing <strong>and</strong><br />

Steel" in the text.<br />

Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books<br />

Saylor.org<br />

205

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