From the standpoint of comparative advantage, gains from trade arise from imports; exports are what a country has to give up in order to afford them. These gains accrue to all countries, as long as trade expands in a balanced fashion.
这些观点所推动的目标是相互对立的。从比较优势的立场上看，贸易的收益来自进口；出口则是一个国家为获得这些收益所必须放弃的代价而已。只要贸易持续以平衡的状态扩大，那所有国家都会因此得益。贸易协定并不会创造就业；只是把职位在不同行业之间重新分配罢了。