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Module 8

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Module 8

International Trade

Local Business is a company which provides goods and services to a local


population. The term may also be used to describe a franchise or corporate
branch operating within a local area.

International business refers to the trade of goods, services, technology,


capital and/or knowledge across national borders and at a global or
transnational scale. International business is also known as globalization.

International trade is the exchange of capital, goods,


and services across international borders or territories. It is the exchange of
goods and services among nations of the world.

Global trade also known as international trade, is simply the import and


export of goods and services across international boundaries.

What is Globalization?
Globalization refers to the shift toward a more integrated and interdependent world
economy. Globalization has several facets, including the globalization of markets and the
globalization of production.

The globalization of markets refers to the merging of historically distinct and separate
national markets into one huge global marketplace. Falling barriers to cross-border trade
have made it easier to sell internationally.

Importance of International Trade between different countries is an


important factor in:
a) Raising living standards
b) Providing employment
c) Enabling consumers to enjoy a greater variety of goods.

Basic Similarities of International and Domestic trade*

1. Both deal in the same objects of exchange, that is, goods and services.
2. Both kinds of trade are carried on by individuals and business firms.
3. Both domestic and international trade are stimulated by the desire for
profit.

Striking differences

1. Independence Currency System. Purchases and sales of goods within


a domestic market are, as a general rule, negotiated with money or currency
that is uniform in all parts of the country.

2. Tariffs and Other Trade Restrictions. The existence of tariffs


constitutes another difference between domestic trade and international
trade.
3. Movement of Labor and Capital. In the particular case of labor, it is
customary to observe that young people generally move from regions of
least labor opportunities.

4. Nature of the market. Differences in the habits and tastes of the


people, in their language and business customs, make the carrying of
foreign trade a more complicated pursuit than domestic trade.

IMPORTANT BASES OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE

1. Difference in Environmental Conditions. As already indicated no


nations is self-sufficient.

2. Stage of Economic Development. The underdeveloped, at times


described as the poor countries and the highly developed, frequently
referred to as the rich countries.

The underdeveloped countries are usually exporters of raw materials while


highly develop countries, are exporters of manufactured articles and finished
products.

3. Population Distribution. The character as well as the density of


population affect greatly the flow as well as the direction of international
trade.

4. Transportation and Communication Facilities. In the days of ancient


civilization, trade did not assume consideration importance because of the
lack of surpluses and the lack of adequate transportation facilities.

5. Price Structure. If trade is legally free to move, it is because of the


difference in money costs and money prices of goods in different countries
which determines their movement.

What Are the Advantages of International Trade?

1. Increased revenues

One of the top advantages of international trade is that you may be able to
increase your number of potential clients. Each country you add to your list
can open up a new pathway to business growth and increased revenues.

2. Decreased competition

Your product and services may have to compete in a crowded market in the
U.S, but you may find that you have less competition in other countries. 

3. Longer product lifespan

 Focusing only on the domestic market may expose you to increased risk
from downturns in the economy, political factors, environmental events and
other risk factors.

 Selling a product to an overseas market can extend the life of an existing


product as emerging markets seek to buy American products.
4. Easier cash-flow management

Getting paid upfront may be one of the hidden advantages of international


trade.

When trading internationally, it may be a general practice to ask for payment


upfront. Expanding your business overseas could help you manage cash
flow better.

5. Better risk management

One of the significant advantages of international trade is market


diversification. Focusing only on the domestic market may expose you to
increased risk from downturns in the economy, political
factors, environmental events and other risk factors.

6. Benefiting from currency exchange

Those who add international trade to their portfolio may also benefit from
currency fluctuations. For example, when the U.S. dollar is down, you may
be able to export more as foreign customers benefit from the favorable
currency exchange rate.

7. Access to export financing

Another one of the advantages of international trade is that you may be able
to leverage export financing. 

8. Disposal of surplus goods

One of the advantages of international trade is that you may have an outlet
to dispose of surplus goods that you're unable to sell in your home market.

9. Enhanced reputation

Doing business in other countries can boost your company's reputation. It


can help increase your company's credibility, both abroad and at home.

10. Opportunity to specialize

International markets can open up avenues for a new line of service or


products. It can also give you an opportunity to specialize in a different area
to serve that market. 

Some disadvantages of international trade:

1. Shipping Customs and Duties


International shipping companies like FedEx, UPS and DHL make
it easy to ship packages almost anywhere in the world. 
● However, one of the disadvantages of international trade is that most
of these destination countries' customs agencies charge extra fees on
items shipped to them.
● In addition to the cost of their product, a company needs to
understand what the end consumer will be charged by the
international shipping company. This is sometimes referred to as the
“landed cost." 

2. Language Barriers 
● Despite the availability of online translators, language is still one of the
major disadvantages of international trade.
● The marketplace is filled with examples of poorly translated
products with names that got misconstrued in another language. 

3. Cultural Differences
● What makes this one of the major disadvantages of international trade
is that cultural differences, many times, are never documented. They
are the unwritten rules of commerce in the country that are hard to
uncover and can be even more difficult to solve. 

4. Servicing Customers
After international customers make a purchase, how will they be
serviced when they are so far away? Again, language and cultural
differences need to be considered to overcome one of the major
disadvantages of international trade. 

5. Returning Products
Since not all international customers will be satisfied with a company's
products, a process must be in place to return them and process a
refund. 

6. Intellectual Property Theft
The wider a product is distributed, the more likely that it may be
illegally copied by a competitor. This can be in the form of proprietary
information or market branding. 

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