D
Recently, the U.S. experienced an annual balance of trade representing a ____.
a. large surplus (exceeding $100 billion)
b. small surplus
c. level of zero
d. deficit
C
A high home inflation rate relative to other countries would ____ the home country's current
account balance, other things equal. A high growth in the home income level relative to
other countries would ____ the home country's current account balance, oth
B
If a country's government imposes a tariff on imported goods, that country's current account
balance will likely ____ (assuming no retaliation by other governments).
a. decrease
b. increase
c. remain unaffected
d. either A or C are possible
D
____ purchases more U.S. exports than the other countries listed here.
a. Italy
b. Spain
c. Mexico
d. Canada
B
An increase in the current account deficit will place ____ pressure on the home currency
value, other things equal.
a. upward
b. downward
c. no
d. upward or downward (depending on the size of the deficit)
C
If the home currency begins to appreciate against other currencies, this should ____ the
current account balance, other things equal (assume that substitutes are readily available
in the countries, and that the prices charged by firms remain the same).
a.
D
The International Financial Corporation was established to:
a. enhance development solely in Asia through grants.
b. enhance economic development through non-subsidized loans (at market
interest rates).
c. enhance economic development through low-interest
B
The World Bank was established to:
a. enhance development solely in Asia through grants.
b. enhance economic development through non-subsidized loans (at market
interest rates).
c. enhance economic development through low-interest rate loans
(below-market
C
The International Development Association was established to:
a. enhance development solely in Asia through grants.
b. enhance economic development through non-subsidized loans (at market
interest rates).
c. enhance economic development through low-intere
E
Which of the following would likely have the least direct influence on a country's current
account?
a. inflation.
b. national income.
c. exchange rates.
d. tariffs.
e. a tax on income earned from foreign stocks.
B
The J curve effect describes:
a. the continuous long term inverse relationship between a country's current account balance and the country's growth in gross national product
b. the short run tendency for a country's balance of trade to deteriorate even wh
B
An increase in the use of quotas is expected to:
a. reduce the country's current account balance, if other governments do not
retaliate.
b. increase the country's current account balance, if other governments do
not retaliate.
c. have no impact on the cou
D
The U.S. typically has a balance of trade surplus in its trade with ____.
a. China
b. Japan
c. A and B
d. none of the above
D
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) increased restrictions on:
a. trade between Canada and Mexico.
b. trade between Canada and the U.S.
c. direct foreign investment in Mexico by U.S. firms.
d. none of the above.
B
According to the text, international trade (exports plus imports combined) as a percentage
of GDP is:
a. higher in the U.S. than in European countries.
b. lower in the U.S. than in European countries.
c. higher in the U.S. than in about half the European
A
The direct foreign investment positions by US firms have generally _____ over time; the direct foreign investment positions in the US by non-US firms have generally _____ over time
a. increased; increased
b. increased; decreased
c. decreased; decreased
d.
C
Which of the following is the biggest target of direct foreign investment by US firms
a. Mexico
b. Japan
c. United Kingdom
d. Germany
A
The primary component of the current account is the:
a.balance of trade.
b.balance of money market flows.
c.balance of capital market flows.
d.unilateral transfers.
B
As a result of the European Union, restrictions on exports between ____ were reduced or eliminated.
a.member countries and the U.S.
b.member countries
c.member countries and European non-members
d.none of the above
A
Over the last several years, international trade (exports plus imports) as a percentage of GDP has generally:
a.increased for most major countries.
b.decreased for most major countries.
c.stayed about constant for most major countries.
d.increased for abo
A
Which is not a concern about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)?
a.its impact on U.S. inflation.
b.its impact on U.S. unemployment.
c.lower environmental standards in Mexico.
d.different health laws for workers in Mexico.
B
A General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) accord in 1993 called for:
a.increased trade restrictions outside of North America.
b.lower trade restrictions around the world.
c.uniform environmental standards around the world.
d.uniform worker health la
A
Which of the following is mentioned in the text as a possible means by which the government may attempt to improve its balance of trade position (increase its exports or reduce its imports).
a.It could attempt to strengthen its local currency value.
b.Fir
B
The demand for U.S. exports tends to increase when:
a.economic growth in foreign countries decreases.
b.the currencies of foreign countries strengthen against the dollar.
c.U.S. inflation rises.
d.none of the above.
D
Dumping" is used in the text to represent the:
a.exporting of goods that do not meet quality standards.
b.sales of junk bonds to foreign countries.
c.removal of foreign subsidiaries by the host government.
d.exporting of goods at prices below cost.
D
____ is (are) income received by investors on foreign investments in financial assets (securities).
a.Portfolio income
b.Direct foreign income
c.Unilateral transfers
d.Factor income
D
A weak home currency may not be a perfect solution to correct a balance of trade deficit because:
a.it reduces the prices of imports paid by local companies.
b.it increases the prices of exports by local companies.
c.it prevents international trade transa
A
Intracompany trade makes up approximately ____ percent of all international trade.
a.50
b.70
c.25
d.13
e.5
B
Like the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the ____ is composed of a collection of nations as members. However, unlike the IMF, it uses the private rather than the government sector to achieve its objectives.
a.World Bank
b.International Financial Corpor
E
The World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA):
a.offers various forms of export insurance.
b.offers various forms of import insurance.
c.offers various forms of exchange rate risk insurance.
d.provides loans to developing countries.
e.o
E
The World Bank's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA):
a.offers various forms of export insurance.
b.offers various forms of import insurance.
c.offers various forms of exchange rate risk insurance.
d.provides loans to developing countries.
e.o
A
Direct foreign investment into the U.S. represents a ____.
a.capital inflow
b.trade inflow
c.capital outflow
d.trade outflow
B
A balance-of-trade surplus indicates an excess of imports over exports.
a. True
b. False
B
A weakening of the U.S. dollar with respect to the British pound would likely reduce the U.S. exports to Britain and increase U.S. imports from Britain over time.
a. True
b. False
B
The World Bank extends loans only to developed nations, while the International Development Association (IDA) extends loans only to developing nations.
a. True
b. False
A
The World Bank frequently enters into cofinancing agreements. Under these agreements, financing is provided by the World Bank and/or official aid agencies, export credit agencies, or commercial banks.
a. True
b. False
A
The balance of payments is a measurement of all transactions between domestic and foreign residents over a specified period of time.
a. True
b. False
A
Changes in country ownership of long-term and short-term assets are measured in the balance of payments with the capital account.
a. True
b. False
A
Portfolio investment represents transactions involving long-term financial assets (such as stocks and bonds) between countries that do not affect the transfer of control.
a. True
b. False
B
The current account represents the investment in fixed assets in foreign countries that can be used to conduct business operations.
a. True
b. False
B
Exporting of products by one country to other countries at prices below cost is called elasticity.
a. True
b. False
B
Direct foreign investment by U.S.-based MNCs occurs primarily in the Bahamas and Brazil.
a. True
b. False
A
The J curve effect is the initial worsening of the U.S. trade balance due to a weakening dollar because of established trade relationships that are not easily changed; as the dollar weakens, the dollar value of imports initially rises before the U.S. trad
A
Portfolio investments represent transactions involving long-term financial assets (such as stocks and bonds) between countries that do not affect the transfer of control.
a. True
b. False
B
Intracompany trade represents the exporting of products by one country to other countries below cost.
a. True
b. False
B
A tariff is a maximum limit on imports.
a. True
b. False
A
A country's net outflow of funds ____ affect its interest rates, and ____ affect its economic conditions.
a.does; does
b.does; does not
c.does not; does not
d.does not; does
A
The sale of patent rights by a U.S. firm to a Russian firm reflects a credit to the U.S. balance of payments account.
a. True
b. False
B
A U.S. purchase of patent rights from a firm in Mexico reflects a credit to the U.S. balance of payments account.
a. True
b. False
A
Regarding the U.S. balance of payments, capital account items are relatively minor compared to the financial account items.
a. True
b. False
D
In recent years, the U.S. has had a relatively (compared to other countries) ____ balance of trade ____ with China.
a.small; surplus
b.large; surplus
c.small; deficit
d.large; deficit
B
The Central American Trade Agreement (CAFTA) is intended to raise tariffs and regulations between the U.S., the Dominican Republic, and Central American countries.
a. True
b. False
B
In July 2005, China established a new currency to replace the yuan.
a. True
b. False
A
In July 2005, China shifted its exchange rate system so that the yuan was allowed to fluctuate within limits.
a. True
b. False
B
Assume the U.S. has a balance of trade surplus with the Country of Thor. When individuals in Thor manufacture CDs and DVDs that look almost exactly like the original product produced in the U.S. and other countries, they ____ the U.S. balance of trade sur
C
Japan's annual interest rate has been relatively ____ compared to other countries for several years, because the supply of funds in its credit market has been very ____.
a.low; small
b.high; small
c.low; large
d.high; large
D
Without the international capital flows, there would be ____ funding available in the U.S. across all risk levels, and the cost of funding would be ____ regardless of the firm's risk level.
a.more; lower
b.more; higher
c.less; lower
d.less; higher
B
The primary component of the capital account is the balance of trade.
a. True
b. False
B
A balance of trade surplus indicates an excess of merchandise imports over merchandise exports.
a. True
b. False
B
An American tourist visiting Germany and spending money there (for lodging, food, etc.) will reduce the U.S. current account deficit and reduce Germany's current account balance.
a. True
b. False
A
A balance of trade deficit indicates an excess of imports over exports.
a. True
b. False
B
The capital account reflects changes in country ownership of long-term (but not short-term) assets.
a. True
b. False
A
Outsourcing allows some MNCs to reduce costs but shifts jobs to other countries.
a. True
b. False
B
A weakening of the U.S. dollar with respect to the British pound would likely reduce U.S. exports to the U.K. and increase U.S. imports from the U.K.
a. True
b. False
B
The World Bank extends loans only to developed nations, while the International Development Association (IDA) extends loans only to developing nations.
a. True
b. False
A
The ____ is the difference between exports and imports.
a.balance of trade
b.balance on goods and services
c.balance of payments
d.current account
e.capital account
D
Which of the following will probably not result in an increase in a country's current account balance (assuming everything else constant)?
a.A decrease in the country's rate of inflation
b.A decrease in the country's national income level
c.An increase in
A
Which of the following factors probably does not directly affect a country's capital account and its components?
a.Inflation
b.Interest rates
c.Withholding taxes on foreign income
d.Exchange rate movements
e.All of the above will directly affect a country
A
The ____, an accord among 117 nations, called for lower tariffs around the world.
a.General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
b.North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
c.Single European Act of 1987
d.European Union Accord
D
Which of the following is not a "subtle" trade restriction Country X may use against Country Y?
a.The government of Country X eliminates environmental restrictions.
b.The government of Country X subsidizes firms in its country to facilitate dumping.
c.The
A
Which of the following statements is not true?
a.Exporters may complain that they are being mistreated because the currency of their country is too weak.
b.Outsourcing affects the balance of trade because it means that a service is purchased in another co
D
Which of the following would increase the current account of Country X? Country Y is Country X's sole trading partner.
a.Inflation increases in countries X and Y by comparable amounts.
b.Country X's and Country Y's currencies depreciate by the same amount
A
____ represent aid, grants, and gifts from one country to another.
a.Transfer payments
b.Factor income
c.The balance of trade
d.The balance of payments
e.The capital account
C
Which of the following is not a goal of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)?
a.To promote cooperation among countries on international monetary issues
b.To promote stability in exchange rates
c.To enhance a country's long-term economic growth via the ex
A
According to the "J curve effect," a weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to its trading partners' currencies would result in an initial ____ in the current account balance, followed by a subsequent ____ in the current account balance.
a.decrease; increa