Two isolated nations, Alphaland and Betaton, are considering opening their borders to trade with each other. Both nations consume only two goods: salt and pepper. Alphaland can produce either 80 tons of salt per day or 5 tons of pepper per day, while Betaton can produce either 3 tons of salt per day or 1 ton of pepper per day. Which trade ratios would make both nations better off?

5 tons of salt for 1 ton of pepper

10 tons of salt for 1 ton of pepper

Explanation:

Alphaland's opportunity cost of producing one ton of pepper = 80 : 5

= 16 tons of salt

Betaton's opportunity cost of producing one ton of pepper = 3 : 1

= 3 tons of salt

Alphaland's opportunity cost of producing one ton of salt = 5 : 80

= 0.0625 tons of pepper

Betaton's opportunity cost of producing one ton of salt = 1 : 3

= 0.3333 tons of pepper

Therefore, Betaton has a comparative advantage in producing pepper because it has the lower opportunity cost of producing pepper as compared to Alphaland. On the other hand, Alphaland has a comparative advantage in producing salt because it has the lower opportunity cost of producing salt as compared to Betaton.

Hence, Betaton is specialized in the production of pepper and Alphaland is specialized in the production of salt.

Trade is beneficial for both the nations when Alphaland buys pepper at a price lower than the 16 tons of salt and Betaton sells pepper at a price greater than 3 tons of salt.

Trade ratios:

5 tons of salt for 1 ton of pepper

10 tons of salt for 1 ton of pepper