Knowee
Questions
Features
Study Tools

Explain how movements in the terms of trade impact on the current account,with reference to recent Australian experience

Question

Explain how movements in the terms of trade impact on the current account,with reference to recent Australian experience

🧐 Not the exact question you are looking for?Go ask a question

Solution

The terms of trade refer to the relative price of exports in terms of imports and are defined as the ratio of export prices to import prices. It can be interpreted as the amount of import goods an economy can purchase per unit of export goods.

  1. Impact on Current Account: The terms of trade impact the current account, which is a record of a country's transactions with the rest of the world, in terms of trade balance, investment income, and cash transfers. If the terms of trade improve, it means that for each unit of exports sold, a country can buy more units of imported goods. This can lead to an improvement in the current account balance, assuming the volumes of exports and imports remain the same.

  2. Australian Experience: In recent years, Australia has experienced fluctuations in its terms of trade. For instance, during the mining boom, Australia's terms of trade improved significantly as global demand for commodities, particularly from China, drove up export prices. This led to a significant improvement in Australia's current account as the country could afford to buy more imports for each unit of exports sold.

  3. However, when commodity prices fell, Australia's terms of trade deteriorated, leading to a worsening of the current account balance. More recently, due to the global pandemic, demand for Australia's exports has been affected, impacting the terms of trade and subsequently the current account.

  4. It's important to note that movements in the terms of trade are just one factor that impacts the current account. Other factors such as changes in exchange rates, domestic and international economic conditions, and government policy can also have a significant impact.

  5. In conclusion, movements in the terms of trade can have a significant impact on a country's current account. A country like Australia, which is heavily reliant on commodity exports, can experience significant fluctuations in its current account balance due to changes in the terms of trade.

This problem has been solved

Similar Questions

Explain how changes in commodity prices have influenced Australia’ s terms oftrade and the current account in recent years

Discuss the impact of movements in the exchange rate on the current account

When Australia has a current account surplus, we know that it is also: Group of answer choices running a balanced trade account. lending to the rest of the world. borrowing from the rest of the world. suffering from negative investment income. none of the above

Examine Australia ’s recent balance of payments performance, distinguishingbetween short-term and long-term factors influencing the current account

Identify how the following transactions affect current year’s Australian GDP andGNP. Briefly explain. (3 points each)a) A jar of Vegemite (produced by Kraft, a US company) is produced in PortMelbourne and sold in Darwin.b) The Australian government spends $400 billion, of which $50 billion are for theconstruction of schools, $80 billion for the construction of highways, 120$ billionfor the purchase of French submarines, $30 billion for unemployment benefits,$50 billion in wages for public servants, and $70 billion for hospitals and otherhealthcare.c) An Australian citizen living in France purchases real estate in the outskirts ofParis.d) Bluescope Steel, an Australian company, produces $150 million worth of steelbut is only able to sell $100 million worth to customers, with the remainingsteel stored in the Bluescope warehouse.Macroeconomic Analysis (ECON7074) Page 1 of 4

1/3

Upgrade your grade with Knowee

Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.