Prepare a 12- to 16-slide presentation for the 2 economies assigned to your team. Each pair of economies has 1 very successful country and 1 not so successful country. Team 1: NAFTA vs European Union

Prepare a 12- to 16-slide presentation for the 2 economies assigned to your team. Each pair of economies has 1 very successful country and 1 not so successful country.  Team 1: NAFTA vs European Union (world’s 2 largest economic entities)

Research each economy assigned to your Team. 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.