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6. International trade and globalisation

Syllabus
0455–2027–2028
Section
6
Level

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In this section

Topic 6.1

6.1. Specialisation and free trade

Objectives in this topic

6.1.1—Specialisation by country

  • definition of specialisation by country
  • the basis for specialisation by country in terms of the best resource allocation and/or low-cost production
  • advantages and disadvantages of specialisation

6.1.2—Free trade

  • definition of free trade
  • advantages and disadvantages of free trade

Topic 6.2

6.2. Globalisation and trade restrictions

Objectives in this topic

6.2.1—Definition of globalisation

  • Definition of globalisation

6.2.2—Causes and consequences of changes in globalisation

  • causes of changes in globalisation:
  • changes in trade restrictions
  • changes in transport costs
  • changes in communication costs
  • movement of multinational companies (MNCs)
  • effects of changes in globalisation on:
  • international trade
  • competition
  • the environment
  • migration
  • income distribution
  • economic development

6.2.3—Role of multinational companies (MNCs)

  • MNCs and their advantages and disadvantages to host countries and home countries

6.2.4—Types of trade restrictions / methods of protection

  • tariffs
  • import quotas
  • subsidies
  • embargoes

6.2.5—Reasons for trade restrictions

  • protect infant (sunrise) industries
  • protect declining (sunset) industries
  • protect strategic industries
  • avoid dumping
  • reduce a deficit on the current account of the balance of payments
  • raise tax revenue
  • restrict the import of demerit goods
  • promote environmental sustainability

6.2.6—Consequences of trade restrictions

  • impact of trade restrictions on the home country and its trading partners
  • advantages and disadvantages of restricting free trade

Topic 6.3

6.3. Foreign exchange rates

Objectives in this topic

6.3.1—Definition of foreign exchange rate

  • Definition of foreign exchange rate

6.3.2—Reasons for buying and selling foreign currencies

  • trade in goods and services
  • speculation
  • government intervention in currency markets
  • payment of profit, interest and dividends between countries
  • workers’ remittances
  • investment in capital goods between countries

6.3.3—Determination of foreign exchange rate in foreign exchange market

  • definitions of floating exchange rate, appreciation and depreciation
  • the demand for and supply of a currency
  • the determination of the equilibrium foreign exchange rate
  • causes of foreign exchange rate fluctuations
  • changes in demand for exports and imports
  • changes in the interest rate
  • speculation

6.3.4—Consequences of changes in foreign exchange rates

  • effects of changes in foreign exchange rates on prices and demand for exports and imports

Topic 6.4

6.4. Current account of the balance of payments

Objectives in this topic

6.4.1—Structure of the current account of the balance of payments

  • components of the current account of the balance of payments:
  • trade in goods
  • trade in services
  • primary income
  • secondary income
  • calculation of deficits and surpluses on the current account of the balance of payments and its component sections

6.4.2—Causes of current account deficit and surplus

  • reasons for current account deficits and surpluses

6.4.3—Consequences of current account deficit and surplus

  • impact on GDP, employment, inflation and foreign exchange rate

6.4.4—Policies to achieve balance of payments stability

  • the range of policies available to achieve balance of payments stability and their effectiveness
ConceptIGCSE Economics