There is, however, little empirical evidence to substantiate this assumption. This paper provides an alternative explanation for price rigidity as well as asymmetric price adjustment in the absence of menu costs. In an infinitely repeated duopoly with incomplete information, it is demonstrated that depending on the degree of collusion and parameters, a variety of pricing behaviour emerge in equilibrium. By drawing on a revealed preference framework they claim that it might be better for the US to impose trade restrictions in order to balance the US current account. However, by employing the same revealed preference approach and adopting an intertemporal perspective, our note shows that the case for free trade also holds in an intertemporal setting.
Most economists consider the debate on free trade closed for all practical purposes.
Using raw figures, unsullied by any theory, we demonstrate that the US rate of investment and real wages have sharply declined, while trade has grown in leaps and bounds.