What factors explain why the world’s trading nations have become increasingly interdependent, from an economic and political viewpoint, during the post–world war ii era? what are some of the major arguments for and against an open trading system? what significance does growing economic interdependence have for a country like the united states? what factors influence the rate of growth in the volume of world trade? identify the major fallacies of international trade. what is meant by international competitiveness? how does this concept apply to a firm, an industry, and a nation? what do researchers have to say about the relation between a firm’s productivity and exposure to global competition? when is international trade an opportunity for workers? when is it a threat to workers? identify some of the major challenges confronting the international trading system.