《外贸实务英语》课外阅读资料（2016级商务英语）.docVIP

外贸实务英语 International Trade Practice Unit 1: International Trade Unit 2: International Trade Terms Unit 3: Description of Commodities Unit 4: Price of Import and Export Commodity Unit 5: International Cargo Transport Shipment Arrangement Unit 6: International Cargo Transport Insurance Unit 7: International Payment of Goods L/C Examination and Amendment Unit 8: Inspection, Claim, Force Majeure and Arbitration Unit 1 International Trade Definition of International Trade International trade, also known as world trade, foreign trade or overseas trade, is the exchange of goods and services between countries. It embraces two basic elements. First, it is carried out between two or more nations. When trade is executed beyond national frontiers, it is invariably subject to political, social, economic and environmental policies introduced by nations from time to time. Such policies have either somewhat encouraged or hampered the free flow of merchandise in international trade. The other factor is the use of different currencies with their inherent exchange rate differentials, affecting the balance of trade which produces a favorable result in some countries but unfavorable to others. Reasons for International Trade Uneven distribution of resources The uneven distribution of resources around the world is one of the basic reasons why nations began and continued to trade with each other. For example, the difference in favorable climatic conditions and terrain enables some countries to grow certain plants and leaves other countries with the only choice to import the products they consume; some countries are the major suppliers of certain natural resources because the distribution of natural resources around the world is somewhat haphazard. The Middle East, for example, has rich oil reserves and is the main source of oil supply to the world. Principle of comparative advantage The principle of comparative advantage states that countries will benefit by concentrat