Advantage Quote by David Autor
“The U.S. tends to export high-tech goods because we have strong comparative advantage there, and we tend to import labor-intensive and less skill-intensive goods that other countries can do more cheaply.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Economic Policy Forum, 2018
The US exports high‑tech products due to its comparative advantage, while importing labor‑intensive goods cheaper elsewhere.
In simple terms: America trades tech for cheaper labor goods.
Leverage strengths, outsource weaknesses.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- manufacturing
- software development
- outsourcing
- consumer goods
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What sectors should the US protect?
- How can workers adapt to global competition?
Over‑reliance on imports can erode domestic skills.