What is one primary motivation for nations to engage in international trade?

One primary motivation for nations to engage in international trade is to gain access to new markets. By participating in global trade, countries can expand their reach beyond their domestic consumer base, allowing them to sell their goods and services to a wider audience. This access to new markets can lead to increased sales and profits for businesses, stimulate economic growth, and create job opportunities. Moreover, engaging in international trade enables nations to exploit their comparative advantages — that is, to specialize in the production of goods and services that they can produce more efficiently than others, thereby enhancing overall economic efficiency and potentially leading to lower prices for consumers.

In contrast, focusing on increasing tariffs can restrict trade rather than promote it, while avoiding competition typically leads to reduced innovation and efficiency. Maintaining self-sufficiency may seem desirable, but in a globalized economy, it can limit a country's economic growth potential by not taking advantage of the benefits that come from trade and specialization.