Comparative Advantage and Short-Sighted Trade and Immigration Policy

Comparative advantage, a classic concept in economics, applies to international trade. Short-sighted trade and immigration policies can short-circuit comparative advantage. The notion of 'bringing it all home' reflects an economic misunderstanding. Comparative advantage is about doing what you do best, earning income from it, and using that income to purchase other things produced more efficiently by others. Examples like LeBron James choosing basketball over typing demonstrate the importance of specializing in what you have a comparative advantage in. Comparative advantage exists at the individual level, and countries do not trade, but rather individuals within countries.