Advantages Of Technology In International Trade

Technology plays a major role in international trade. Databases,

overnight delivery and faxes have opened the world market to not only larger

companies but small ones too. To add to this globalization, companies and even

competitors are combining and forming alliances to cut cost and increase the

profit margin. Chrysler, General Motors and Ford have formed an alliance in

research and development to avoid duplication. These alliances are not only

with domestic companies but they also go over national lines. Companies are

pushing for integration of the world economy in hope for increased profits and

governments are beginning to listen.

Since 1986 (GATT) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade have taken the

incitive to move towards the liberalization of international trade. GATT

members agreed to reduce tariff and non-tariff trade barriers. From 1986 to the

present due to GATT's lead many markets have been open to the United States

increasing exports and increasing efficiency through competition.

One of the most aggressive liberalization groups to follow GATT's lead

is APEC (Asian Pacific Economic Community). APEC consist of 18 countries that

account for 1/2 of the worlds output. The three largest economies Japan, China

and the United States are members. APEC leaders are committed to achieving free

and open trade for the region by 2010. APEC is moving towards this goal through

many means including accelerating initial Japanese tariff cuts by 50%. China

will also cut a number of tariffs by 30%. Indonesia and other APEC members are

also reducing tariffs sharply. What sets APEX at the head of the pack leading

liberalization is it wiliness to extend benefits of membership to everyone.

APEX is willing to extend the benefits of cuts in tariff and non-tariff barriers

to all countries willing to make comparable cuts. This is a major incentive for

all countries because the Pacific Rim is the fastest growing market in the world

and large profits are to be made there.

To put these cut in trade barriers in perspective lets look at the

company Chrysler. Chrysler is introducing a right handed drive version of the

neon subcompact to the Japanese consumer. Chrysler plans to sell 4,000 units at

their 200 show rooms. They are hoping for even more success with the right

handed versions of the Voyager and Wrangler which they plan to introduce next

year. With Japanese subsidizes on exports which lead to a high price on

Japanese domestic goods, Chrysler should be very competitive.

Liberalism in trade, though progressive vary a lot with area. The

European Union consisting of the countries of western Europe have established a

free trade zone between themselves but those areas outside the union deal with