International trade can provide benefits but also disadvantages. It allows countries to specialize in what they produce most efficiently while gaining access to a wider variety of goods. However, it can also lead to economic dependence on other nations and depletion of natural resources if not properly managed. Traders act as intermediaries, moving goods from producers to wholesalers to retailers and finally consumers. Goods are traded within a country as internal trade or across borders as international trade through imports and exports.

1. TRADE

2. TRADE
 The word “Trade means buying, selling and exchange of goods.” Trade may be
described as the nucleus of commercial activity. A trader purchases goods to be sold
to other traders or consumers at a profit. Generally he buy those goods which are in
demand or which are likely to find in the market. Sometime they may get good
margin on profit but sometime they may go in loss.
 The producers build the goods, then it transfer to the whole seller, then to a retailer
and finally reached to the consumer.
 Traders act as intermediaries between producer and consumers.

3. Classification of Trade
Trade generally classified into two broad categories'
1- Internal Trade
2- International Trade
Internal
Trade
Foreign
Trade

4. 1- Internal trade
 It is also called home trade and consist of sale and exchange of goods
within the boundaries of a country. The payment involved in business
transaction are made in the nation’s own currency directly or through
banking system.
 The movements of goods is through internal transport system owned
by state government, central government or by any private agencies.
The internal trade is carried on the following basis:-
1. Wholesale trade 2. Retail trade

5. Wholesale Trade
 They are the people who buy in bulk from the producers and sell in
small quantities to the retailers. The wholesaler served as a link
between the procedure or manufacturer of goods and the retail
traders.
Drug Mfg plant
Finished Drug
Product

6. Retail Trade
 Retailers are the traders who buy goods from wholesalers or sometimes directly
from producers and sell them to the consumers. They usually operate through a
retail shop and sell goods in small quantities. They keep a variety of items of daily
use.
 Retailer act as a link between wholesaler and the actual consumer.
 In Pharmaceutical trade, the chemist or the druggist plays the role of a retailer.
Thus a retailer chemist in a outlet for providing drugs or health-care services to the
patient.
 A retailer dispenses the prescription of the medical practitioner and sells medicines
to a patient.

7. International Trade or Foreign Trade
 International trade refers to the exchange of goods and services between the
countries. In simple words, it means the export and import of goods and services.
Export means selling goods and services out of the country, while import means
goods and services flowing into the country.
 International trade supports the world economy, where prices or demand and
supply are affected by global events. The movement of goods is through
international transport system.

8. Types of International Trade
 Foreign trade is conducted mostly on wholesale basis and is subdivided in
to:-
(a) Import trade
(b) Export trade
(c) Entrepot trade
(a) Import- Import trade means purchasing goods and services from a foreign
country because they cannot be produced in sufficient quantities or at a
competitive cost in your own country.
 For example, India imports 80-82% of its crude oil requirements from countries
like UAE and Venezuela. This is because these countries possess massive oil
fields and are quite competent in exploring, processing, and transporting oil at an
economical rate. Similarly, UAE imports agriculture and apparel based products
from India because it is easier and cheaper to import these, rather than produce
them in their own country.

9. (b) Export Trade-
 Quite like its import counterpart, export trade is a type of international
trade which relies on selling locally manufactured goods and services to foreign
countries. In theory, it is considered to be just the opposite of import trade.
 For example, India exports inorganic chemicals, oilseeds, raw ores, iron and steel,
plastics, and dairy products to a country like China. In return, China exports
electrical equipment, organic chemicals, silk, mineral fuels, and fertilizers to India.
These goods are exchanged between both countries so that they can make the most
of their respective production capacities.

10. (c) Entrepot Trade-
 Entrepot trade, in simple terms, is a specific form of international trade that
comprises both – import and export trade. Under this type, goods and services are
imported from one country so that they can further be exported to another country.
This is to say that the imported goods are not used for consumption or sale in the
importing country. Instead, the importing country just adds some value to the
goods before exporting them yet again.
 For example, if India imports rubber from Thailand, processes it, and re-exports it
to another country like Japan, it would be referred to as Entrepot trade.
 Most countries deal in Entrepot trade because of the following reasons:
1. Lack of access or direct connection between any two countries
2. Better processing or logistical facilities available with a third country
3. Absence of a trade agreement between two countries
4. No trade finance in banking facilities available in the importing country

11. Advantages and Disadvantages of International Trade
Advantages:-
Optimal use of natural resources
• Global trade helps countries to make optimum use of their natural resources. Each
nation concentrates on the production of those products for which the resources are
available in abundance and best suited.
Availability of a wide variety of goods
• It lets a country, it import items which are not produced due to higher costs or
other issues. Likewise, selling goods to foreign countries allows a nation to get rid
of its excess production.
Specialization
• Foreign trade results in specialization and promotes manufacturing of different
products in different nations. Due to competitive advantages, goods can be
produced at a relatively low cost, and this benefit all countries.
Increased efficiency
• Since international trade is highly competitive, produces in any country tries to
make good quality products at low rates. This in turn boosts efficiency and benefits
customers all over the world.

12. Establishment of new industries and exchange of technique and technology:
• Underdeveloped nations are able to establish new industries with the technical
know-how, machinery and equipment imported from developing and developed
nations. As such, underdeveloped countries are able to develop speedily.
Understanding and cooperation between countries:
• Through global trade, people of different regions come in close contacts with each
other. As a result of this, understanding, co-operation and cordial relations tend to
build up among nations at large.
Foreign Exchange:
• A country is able to earn valuable foreign exchange by exporting its goods to other
countries. With the help of foreign exchange it can purchase goods of its need from
other countries.
Culture development
• The trade people of different countries come in contact with each other through
international trade. They learn about each other’s culture qualities.

13. Disadvantages:-
Impediment in the Development of Home Industries:
• International trade has an adverse effect on the development of home industries. It
poses a threat to the survival of infant industries at home. Due to foreign
competition and unrestricted imports, the upcoming industries in the country may
collapse.
Economic Dependence:
• The underdeveloped countries have to depend upon the developed ones for their
economic development. Such reliance often leads to economic exploitation. For
instance, most of the underdeveloped countries in Africa and Asia have been
exploited by European countries.
Mis-use of Natural Resources:
• Excessive exports may exhaust the natural resources of a country in a shorter span
of time than it would have been otherwise. This will cause economic downfall of the
country in the long run.
Trade Wars:
• International trade breeds rivalries amongst nations due to competition in the foreign
markets. This may eventually lead to wars and disturb world peace.

14. Effect on culture:
• There are so many goods which are not suitable in accordance with our couture
and traditions etc. The import of these goods affect our culture and civilization.
Shortage of goods in a country:
• To earn more profits, sometimes the traders prefers to sell the goods to other
countries than in their own country. This results in the shortage of goods within
the country.