An undisputed truth? Belief in superiority of free trade near universal amongst economists Basic proposition put by samuelson nordhaus: Simply put, trade promotes specialization, and specialization increases productivity. "(297 Argument essentially unchanged since Ricardo in 1817: Trade lets countries specialise in producing goods in which they have a comparative advantage Not absolute productivity relative to other country,but Comparative productivity with respect to own industriesAn undisputed truth? • Belief in superiority of free trade near universal amongst economists • Basic proposition put by Samuelson & Nordhaus: – “Simply put, trade promotes specialization, and specialization increases productivity.” (297) • Argument essentially unchanged since Ricardo in 1817: – Trade lets countries specialise in producing goods in which they have a comparative advantage: • Not absolute productivity relative to other country, but • Comparative productivity with respect to own industries