ECO/535: ECO/535:

a 5 to 7-slide presentation for the 2 economies that your team selects. This assignment is due on the last day of the class. 

• Team 1: NAFTA vs European Union (world’s 2 largest economic entities)
• Team 2: China vs India (world’s 2 most populous countries)
• Team 3: South Korea vs North Korea (2 polar economic opposites, one people)
• Team 4: Venezuela vs Saudi Arabia (world’s 2 largest sources of oil reserves)
• Team 5: Nigeria vs Democratic Republic of the Congo (Civility vs. Chaos) (Note: the Republic of the Congo is not the same country as the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
• Team 6: Brazil vs. South Africa

Research each economy that your team selects above. You may choose from a different set of countries but please advise the faculty member. Compare similarities and differences between your assigned countries/economies and how their economic, political, and cultural development since 1992 has influenced their economic growth and trade competitiveness.

Use tables and/or graphs to support your analysis of the following economic statistics/indicators of your 2 assigned economies through the most recent year available since 2009 (the trough of the last economic cycle). Whenever possible, plot the metric for both economies on the same chart.

• GDP per capita growth over time
• Inflation rate over time
• Unemployment rate over time
• Exports as a % of GDP over time
• National government debt as a % of GDP

Evaluate the reasons why the economic growth of the 2 economies/countries varied. Discuss how international trade influenced the strength of each economy. Discuss the role of value chains and value-added production.

Analyze how the failure to use value-added trade measures distorts trade statistics. For example, Boeing and Airbus airliners, Apple iPad and iPhone production, and North American integrated auto and light truck manufacturing.

Examine at least 2 industries that have provided each economy a comparative advantage in world trade.

Cite at least 2 academically credible sourc