Regional economic integration: levels, trade creation-diversion, EU, ASEAN, SAARC, NAFTA - One Line Questions
1.
ASEAN stands for: —
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
2.
The Schengen Area, associated with the EU, primarily deals with: —
Freedom of movement for people across internal borders
3.
The EU's common currency, the Euro, is a feature of which level of integration? —
Economic Union
4.
Which of the following is the LEAST integrated level of Regional Economic Integration? —
Free Trade Area
5.
The concept of 'deep integration' in REI refers to: —
Coordinating policies beyond trade, such as fiscal and monetary policy
6.
Trade diversion can be seen as detrimental because it: —
Leads to suboptimal allocation of resources within the bloc
7.
Which of these is a historical predecessor to the European Union, focusing on coal and steel production among founding members? —
European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)
8.
Which of the following is NOT a core institution of the European Union? —
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
9.
A Customs Union is characterized by the elimination of internal trade barriers and the adoption of a common external trade policy. This statement is: —
True
10.
An Economic Union is the most advanced form of REI, characterized by a common market, coordinated economic policies (fiscal and monetary), and often a common currency. This statement is: —
True
11.
Trade creation occurs when a country shifts its imports from a higher-cost producer outside the bloc to a lower-cost producer within the bloc due to preferential trade agreements. This statement is: —
True
12.
Trade diversion is a negative consequence of REI where imports shift from a lower-cost producer outside the bloc to a higher-cost producer within the bloc, solely due to preferential tariffs. —
True
13.
The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) aims to reduce tariffs on goods traded among member states. This statement is: —
True
14.
SAARC's primary objective is to promote economic and social development in its member countries. This statement is: —
True
15.
NAFTA aimed to eliminate most tariffs and non-tariff barriers on products traded between its member countries. This statement is: —
True
16.
The primary objective of USMCA/CUSMA/T-MEC, replacing NAFTA, includes modernizing trade rules to address issues like digital trade and intellectual property. This statement is: —
True
17.
The European Economic Community (EEC) was a precursor to the EU, established by the Treaty of Rome in 1957. Its main goal was to create a common market. This statement is: —
True
18.
The ASEAN Community, established in 2015, aims to foster integration across three pillars: Political-Security, Socio-Cultural, and: —
Economic
19.
Which level of REI involves the free movement of factors of production (labor and capital) in addition to the elimination of internal trade barriers and a common external policy? —
Common Market
20.
The European Union (EU) is an example of which level of Regional Economic Integration? —
Economic Union
21.
ASEAN has achieved the level of a: —
Free Trade Area
22.
SAARC has achieved the level of a: —
Preferential Trading Arrangement
23.
The European Economic Area (EEA) allows citizens from EU and EFTA countries to move freely and work in any member state. This indicates a level of integration similar to a: —
Common Market
24.
The South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) is an agreement under SAARC aiming to reduce tariffs. What is its current status? —
Partially implemented, with ongoing tariff reductions
25.
Which of the following is a potential challenge for ASEAN integration? —
Significant differences in economic development levels
26.
NAFTA (and now USMCA) significantly impacted the automotive industry by: —
Establishing rules of origin to ensure a significant portion of content comes from North America
27.
A major criticism of trade diversion is that it can: —
Lead to higher consumer prices within the bloc
28.
Trade diversion can lead to: —
Reduced efficiency and potential welfare loss
29.
Which of the following is a key benefit of trade creation within an REI bloc? —
Lower production costs and increased consumer choice
30.
Which aspect of trade creation is most beneficial for consumers in a regional bloc? —
Access to lower-cost goods from member countries
31.
Which of the following is a potential economic benefit of Regional Economic Integration, even if trade diversion occurs? —
Economies of scale for producers within the bloc
32.
The formation of a Customs Union typically leads to: —
All of the above
33.
The ultimate goal of an Economic Union is to create a single economic entity, often characterized by: —
Coordinated fiscal policies and often a common currency
34.
The primary challenge for SAARC in achieving its goals is often attributed to: —
Divergent political systems and national interests
35.
The principle of 'Most Favored Nation' (MFN) treatment in the WTO context is different from the preferential treatment within an REI bloc because: —
MFN applies to all WTO members equally, while REI offers preferential treatment only to bloc members
36.
Which of these countries is a member of SAARC? —
Afghanistan
37.
NAFTA stands for: —
North American Free Trade Agreement
38.
The 'rules of origin' are important in a Free Trade Area to: —
Determine which goods qualify for preferential tariff treatment within the bloc
39.
Which of these agreements aims to liberalize trade specifically in services and investment among its member countries? —
All of the above (to varying degrees)
40.
Which of the following countries is a founding member of ASEAN? —
Singapore
41.
SAARC stands for: —
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
42.
SAARC has faced challenges in achieving deeper economic integration due to: —
Geopolitical tensions and bilateral issues
43.
The Maastricht Treaty (1993) was a significant step in the development of the EU, leading to the establishment of: —
The Euro currency and the European Central Bank
44.
Which statement best describes the relationship between trade creation and trade diversion? —
Trade creation increases welfare, while trade diversion may decrease it.
45.
What is the main objective of ASEAN? —
To promote economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in Southeast Asia
46.
What is the primary goal of Regional Economic Integration (REI)? —
To reduce or eliminate trade barriers among member countries
47.
In a Free Trade Area (FTA), member countries eliminate tariffs and quotas on trade among themselves, but each country maintains its own external trade policy. This statement is: —
True
48.
NAFTA, established in 1994, created a free trade zone among which countries? —
United States, Canada, and Mexico
49.
NAFTA has been replaced by which agreement? —
All of the above