Benefits of Trade Policies

At a Glance:

Standards / Framework:

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the major benefits of countries trading with each other.

Students should be familiar with basic economic concepts such as supply and demand, trade, goods, and services.

Ask students:
- "Have you ever wondered where the clothes you wear, the toys you play with, or the electronics you use every day come from? How do they get to you?”
- "What do you think would happen if your country suddenly stopped trading with all other countries? How would your life change?”
- "Can you think of any products or items that are unique to specific countries or regions? Why do you think they are not available everywhere?”

Have students explore the benefits of specialization and trade by watching a video from Crash Course Economics.
Have students brainstorm a list of five essential items they consider necessary for a trip.
In pairs, have students collaboratively conduct research to explore the origins and manufacturing processes of their selected items. They should try to answer questions such as:
- Where is the product made?
- What materials are used in its production?
- Are there any specific countries known for manufacturing this item?
- Are there any trade agreements or trade policies related to this product?
Have students conduct research on a country of their choice, identifying its main exports, imports, and the mutual benefits derived from international trade by answering the following questions:
- What are the main products or resources this country exports?
- What products or resources does this country import from other countries?
- How does this trade benefit the chosen country and the countries it trades with?
After researching, have each group present their findings to the class. Encourage discussion on how international trade benefits countries economically and culturally.
Have students create a comic that displays the main export of the country they chose and how the import benefits the United States.

Have students share their comics with the class or in small groups.
Emphasize that international trade fosters economic growth, cultural exchange, and access to a wider variety of goods and services, but trade policies can influence who benefits and at what cost.

Allow students to use the speech-to-text feature.
Allow students to work in pairs or groups as needed.
Allow students to use the voiceover feature to read their comics aloud.
Allow students to use the closed-caption feature while watching the video.
Preteach vocabulary or provide vocabulary definitions, e.g., supply and demand, goods, services, and the concept of trade.