KEY
POINTS:
• Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the U.S.
• 1 in 3 Washington jobs are trade related
• Jobs that are trade-related are growing in number and
often pay more
• We produce far more goods than can be consumed within
the state or within the U.S.; we have to trade or our economy
would collapse
• Countries that are more open to trade and investment
have better standards of living than countries that are closed
off to the rest of the world
• The U.S. is the top exporting country in the world
ACTIVITY 1: Washington’s Trade Connections.
| 1. |
Create
a world map showing where Washington’s top ten exports
are sold. |
| 2.
|
Add
to this map the locations of competitors to our products. |
| 3. |
Discuss
the ideas of comparative and absolute advantage.
How are we able to successfully compete to sell
our products?
(issues of quality, variety, reliability, etc.) |
| 4. |
Using
the top ten export items, create a chart that illustrates
the following connections:
What kinds of jobs are available in those industries?
What kinds of jobs are needed to support those businesses
indirectly? (i.e., shipping and trucking, printers
that create business cards, restaurants near manufacturing
plants, etc.) |
ACTIVITY
2: What Are Trade-Related Problem Areas?
Examine
one of these topics of concern in light of the questions stated
below and present findings to the class:
•
Child Labor
• Sweatshop Labor
• Environmental Concerns
• Trade Sanctions
• National Self-Direction & Sovereignty vs. International
Agreements
(NAFTA, WTO, etc.)
• Tariffs, Quotas and Export Controls
| 1. |
To
what degree are these issues attributable to cultural
differences, predatory business practices at the local
level, local political corruption, lack of consumer concern,
competition and other market forces? |
| 2. |
What
do we do when we simply cannot agree on a trade issue? |
| 3. |
Are
there current as well as historical examples in the U.S.
of similar problems?
What forces contributed to these problems and what forces
(if any) led to the problems being solved (if they were)?
|
ACTIVITY
3: What is the economic impact of imports?
Look
at the “Washington State Trade Picture” (available
for download at http://www.wcit.org/resources/publications/pub_intro.htm)
and identify Washington’s top imports.
Are
these products finished products ready to be sold to consumer?
Or are they components of productions?
What
Washington State industries are dependent upon imports for
their finished products?
What kinds of jobs are in these industries—high skill
versus low skill (i.e. design work versus assembly work)?
Additional
resources
CTED Study on the Impact of Imports (available for download
at http://www.trade.wa.gov/publications.htm)
Suggestions
for Assessment. Largely measuring breadth and depth of
evidence — have the students covered all the possibilities?
|
