United States Economy

1056 Words5 Pages
17 September 2010 Economics 2A Mr. Gillispie How does international trade impact the U.S economy? Throughout the history of the United States, international trade has been impacted in many ways. Whether in times of war, terrorism, or, recession, the United States has experienced a great deal of economic downfalls. However, it has still managed to recover from these trying times. Therefore, the United States economy has been affected in times trouble as well as in times of prosperity. One of the most historical economic alterations in the United States was due to the 9/11 attack. On Sept.11, the United States experienced the most devastating act of terrorism known in its history. This devastation affected…show more content…
Even during President Nixon’s administration, the United States experienced a great deal of financial instability, jeopardizing the United State’s security. “President Nixon terminated the convertibility of the dollar, shattering the linchpin of the entire international monetary system on whose smooth functioning the world economy depends. He imposed an import surcharge, proposed both the most sweeping United States export subsidy in history and discrimination against foreign machinery by making it ineligible for the Job Development Credit, bludgeoned East Asia into a “voluntary” restraint agreement on textiles, and sought to extend and tighten the existing “voluntary” agreement on steel completely reversing the traditional position of United States administrations in resisting protectionism and leading the world toward ever freer trade.”(C. Fred Bergsten) With such economic pressures on Nixon’s administration, there came a great reduction in military…show more content…
Often times, companies uproot from American soil and re-established themselves in foreign countries. This causes millions of American based jobs to diminish. The more unemployment rises, the less capital circulates in the United States economy, thus causing more Americans to seek unemployment benefits. According to Gail Makinen, economic policy specialist, the United States experienced 130,000 Americans being either jobless due to the 9/11 attack or the recession that followed. (2002) Although the United States economy experiences a great deal of negative effects based on international trade, there are some benefits to foreign trade. The United States economy drastically improves because of a wider variety of goods imported from other countries. When Americans buy more products, the economy is stimulated. When foreign countries demand American made goods, this causes an increase in productions of those demanded goods, causing the United States labor force to go to work. On the other hand, the United States receives exotic goods within a reasonable time and price range due to foreign trade. For example, it’s a lot easier to grow Valentine’s Day roses in Columbia, when the weather in January and February is nearly ideal than it is in the United States. Without the luxury of international trade, the American Valentine’s Day would not be the same without the Colombian
Open Document