Under which circumstance would Country X have a comparative advantage in the production of cotton?

Question

Responses

Country X didn't have to give up a more profitable form of production in order to grow cotton.
Country X didn't have to give up a more profitable form of production in order to grow cotton.

Country X was able to impose a high tariff on cotton imported from other countries.
Country X was able to impose a high tariff on cotton imported from other countries.

Country X had a large domestic textile and apparel industry that could use the cotton.
Country X had a large domestic textile and apparel industry that could use the cotton.

Country X could sell cotton more cheaply in the international marketplace than any other country.

Answer 1

A country has a comparative advantage in the production of a good when it can produce that good at a lower opportunity cost compared to other goods. Given the options provided, the correct response would be:

Country X didn't have to give up a more profitable form of production in order to grow cotton.

This indicates that the opportunity cost of producing cotton is lower for Country X than for other countries, which is the definition of comparative advantage. The other options refer to tariffs, domestic industries, or selling prices, which do not directly relate to the concept of comparative advantage.