Research and analyze the US trade deficit. Answer the following questions.

• How large is the US trade deficit (relative to GDP)? 4 Points
• How has the trade deficit changed recently? Why? 4 Points
• Do you expect this trend to continue? 4 Points
• Is this trade deficit a bad thing or a good thing, and why? 4 Points
• Describe what would happen if we implemented more trade protection (tariffs, quotas, VERs) 4 Points

GDP data is available from the Bureau of Economic Analysis: