This document discusses international trade and balance of payments. It provides arguments for and against trade liberalization. Supporters argue that trade increases specialization and economies of scale, bringing innovation and competition. Studies show countries that liberalized trade grew faster. However, critics argue that trade can displace domestic workers and increase inequality. The document also examines the Ricardian model of comparative advantage and its limitations in making unrealistic predictions. It defines key concepts like terms of trade, protectionism, and balance of payments accounting.