Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
How does free trade affect jobs?
Position‹3 of 3

Free trade has no effect on jobs

This position holds that free trade shifts jobs between sectors without changing how many there are overall, since total employment is set by demand, the size of the workforce and policy rather than by the pattern of what a country buys and sells.

Supporting arguments · 2

  1. The number of jobs is set by demand and the size of the workforce, not by the pattern of trade
  2. Trade has to be paid for, so what leaves as imports returns as demand