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International Trade - Theory and Policy, 2010a

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The U.S. autarky production <strong>and</strong> consumption points are determined where the aggregate indifference<br />

curve is tangent to the U.S. PPF. This occurs at point A. The United States realizes a level of aggregate<br />

utility that corresponds to the indifference curve IAut.<br />

The U.S. production <strong>and</strong> consumption points in free trade are P <strong>and</strong> C, respectively. In free trade, the<br />

United States realizes a level of aggregate utility that corresponds to the indifference curve IFT. Since the<br />

free trade indifference curve IFT lies to the northeast of the autarky indifference curve IAut, national<br />

welfare rises as the United States moves to free trade.<br />

France’s autarky production <strong>and</strong> consumption points are determined by finding the aggregate<br />

indifference curve that is tangent to the French PPF. This occurs at point A∗. France realizes a level of<br />

aggregate utility that corresponds to the indifference curveIAut∗.<br />

French production <strong>and</strong> consumption points in free trade are P∗ <strong>and</strong> C∗, respectively. In free trade, France<br />

realizes a level of aggregate utility that corresponds to the indifference curve IFT∗. Since the free trade<br />

indifference curve IFT∗ lies to the northeast of the autarky indifference curve IAut∗, national welfare rises<br />

as France moves to free trade.<br />

This means that free trade will raise aggregate welfare for both countries relative to autarky. Both<br />

countries are better off with free trade.<br />

However, the use of aggregate indifference curves (or preferences) ignores the issue of income<br />

distribution. Although it is correct to conclude from this analysis that bothcountries benefit from free<br />

trade, it is not correct to conclude that all individuals in both countries also benefit from free trade. By<br />

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

Saylor.org<br />

222

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