fill in the blank
East Asian nations have imposed tariffs and other trade barriers to protect their industries, but these barriers have ____ economic growth.
Options:
benefited
encouraged
slowed
sped up
slowed
slowed
To determine the correct answer, we need to identify the impact of tariffs and trade barriers on economic growth. Tariffs and trade barriers typically restrict trade and increase the cost of imported goods, which can affect economic growth in different ways.
To find the answer, we can analyze the relationship between trade barriers and economic growth. Firstly, East Asian nations have imposed tariffs and trade barriers, which means they have restricted trade. Next, we need to determine the impact of these trade barriers on economic growth.
If trade barriers benefit economic growth, then the answer is "benefited." If they encourage economic growth, the answer is "encouraged." Conversely, if trade barriers slow down economic growth, the answer is "slowed." If they speed up economic growth, the answer is "sped up."
Based on economic theory and most empirical evidence, the impact of trade barriers on economic growth is generally negative. Trade barriers can limit competition, reduce efficiency, and hinder innovation. So, the correct answer would be "slowed" because trade barriers tend to have a negative effect on economic growth.