IELTS Essay: Tariffs
Developing countries should be encouraged to implement high tariffs to grow their local industries.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
In recent years, there has been considerable debate regarding whether developing countries should impose high tariffs to protect and nurture local industries. While there are compelling arguments in favor of this approach, on balance, such a strategy may not always be the most effective solution for fostering sustainable economic growth.
On one hand, high tariffs can provide temporary relief to fledgling industries in developing countries. By imposing tariffs on imported goods, local businesses are protected from international competition, allowing them to grow and improve their productivity without the immediate threat of cheaper foreign products undercutting the market. For example, in countries like Vietnam, tariffs on foreign electronics and automobiles have given local manufacturers a chance to scale up their operations, improve technology, and create jobs for the local workforce. In such cases, tariffs act as a shield, fostering the development of domestic industries and enabling them to become more competitive in the global market over time.
However, high tariffs can lead to higher prices for consumers and impact core industries. In a developing economy, where many people already struggle with low wages, the imposition of tariffs can make essential goods more expensive, further exacerbating inequality. For example, in certain Southeast Asian countries, high tariffs on imported agricultural equipment have made it more expensive for local farmers to access modern machinery, limiting their productivity and overall income. Relatedly, if industries are protected from competition for too long, they may not innovate or improve their products and services, as they are not under the same pressure to compete with more efficient global companies. In some cases, this results in the growth of uncompetitive industries that fail to meet global standards. Despite high tariffs on foreign rice in countries like India, the local rice industry has struggled to modernize and remain competitive with other rice-exporting nations such as Vietnam and Thailand.
In conclusion, while high tariffs can offer short-term benefits for developing countries, I believe they should only be implemented cautiously and with a clear focus on long-term strategies. A balanced approach that combines targeted protection for emerging industries with efforts to increase global competitiveness.
Analysis
1. In recent years, there has been considerable debate regarding whether developing countries should impose high tariffs to protect and nurture local industries. 2. While there are compelling arguments in favor of this approach, on balance, such a strategy may not always be the most effective solution for fostering sustainable economic growth.
1. On one hand, high tariffs can provide temporary relief to fledgling industries in developing countries. 2. By imposing tariffs on imported goods, local businesses are protected from international competition, allowing them to grow and improve their productivity without the immediate threat of cheaper foreign products undercutting the market. 3. For example, in countries like Vietnam, tariffs on foreign electronics and automobiles have given local manufacturers a chance to scale up their operations, improve technology, and create jobs for the local workforce. 4. In such cases, tariffs act as a shield, fostering the development of domestic industries and enabling them to become more competitive in the global market over time.
1. However, high tariffs can lead to higher prices for consumers and impact core industries. 2. In a developing economy, where many people already struggle with low wages, the imposition of tariffs can make essential goods more expensive, further exacerbating inequality. 3. For example, in certain Southeast Asian countries, high tariffs on imported agricultural equipment have made it more expensive for local farmers to access modern machinery, limiting their productivity and overall income. 4. Relatedly, if industries are protected from competition for too long, they may not innovate or improve their products and services, as they are not under the same pressure to compete with more efficient global companies. 5. In some cases, this results in the growth of uncompetitive industries that fail to meet global standards. 6. Despite high tariffs on foreign rice in countries like India, the local rice industry has struggled to modernize and remain competitive with other rice-exporting nations such as Vietnam and Thailand.
- Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
- Explain your new main idea.
- Include specific details and examples.
- Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
- Keep adding detail.
- This essay is a bit long – aim for about 275 words.
1. In conclusion, while high tariffs can offer short-term benefits for developing countries, I believe they should only be implemented cautiously and with a clear focus on long-term strategies. 2. A balanced approach that combines targeted protection for emerging industries with efforts to increase global competitiveness.
- Summarise your main ideas.
- Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.
Vocabulary
What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.
In recent years, there has been considerable debate regarding whether developing countries should impose high tariffs to protect and nurture local industries. While there are compelling arguments in favor of this approach, on balance, such a strategy may not always be the most effective solution for fostering sustainable economic growth.
On one hand, high tariffs can provide temporary relief to fledgling industries in developing countries. By imposing tariffs on imported goods, local businesses are protected from international competition, allowing them to grow and improve their productivity without the immediate threat of cheaper foreign products undercutting the market. For example, in countries like Vietnam, tariffs on foreign electronics and automobiles have given local manufacturers a chance to scale up their operations, improve technology, and create jobs for the local workforce. In such cases, tariffs act as a shield, fostering the development of domestic industries and enabling them to become more competitive in the global market over time.
However, high tariffs can lead to higher prices for consumers and impact core industries. In a developing economy, where many people already struggle with low wages, the imposition of tariffs can make essential goods more expensive, further exacerbating inequality. For example, in certain Southeast Asian countries, high tariffs on imported agricultural equipment have made it more expensive for local farmers to access modern machinery, limiting their productivity and overall income. Relatedly, if industries are protected from competition for too long, they may not innovate or improve their products and services, as they are not under the same pressure to compete with more efficient global companies. In some cases, this results in the growth of uncompetitive industries that fail to meet global standards. Despite high tariffs on foreign rice in countries like India, the local rice industry has struggled to modernize and remain competitive with other rice-exporting nations such as Vietnam and Thailand.
In conclusion, while high tariffs can offer short-term benefits for developing countries, I believe they should only be implemented cautiously and with a clear focus on long-term strategies. A balanced approach that combines targeted protection for emerging industries with efforts to increase global competitiveness.
Answers
For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:
- In recent years → In the past few years
- there has been considerable debate regarding whether → there has been much discussion about whether
- impose high tariffs → enforce steep tariffs
- protect and nurture local industries → safeguard and support domestic industries
- While there are compelling arguments in favor of this approach → Although there are strong reasons to support this method
- on balance → overall
- strategy → approach
- the most effective solution for fostering sustainable economic growth → the most viable method for promoting long-term economic development
- provide temporary relief to fledgling industries in developing countries → offer short-term support to nascent industries in emerging nations
- By imposing tariffs on imported goods → Through levying taxes on foreign products
- protected from international competition → shielded from global competition
- grow and improve their productivity without the immediate threat of cheaper foreign products undercutting the market → expand and enhance their efficiency without the immediate risk of less expensive imports undermining the market
- tariffs → duties
- local manufacturers → domestic producers
- scale up their operations → expand their businesses
- create jobs for the local workforce → generate employment for the national labor force
- In such cases → Under these circumstances
- shield → protect
- fostering the development of domestic industries → encouraging the growth of homegrown industries
- enabling them to become more competitive in the global market over time → allowing them to gain a competitive edge in the international marketplace gradually
- lead to higher prices for consumers → result in increased costs for consumers
- impact core industries → affect key sectors
- struggle with low wages → face challenges with inadequate salaries
- imposition → enforcement
- make essential goods more expensive → raise the cost of basic necessities
- further exacerbating inequality → deepening social disparities
- in certain Southeast Asian countries → in some nations across Southeast Asia
- imported agricultural equipment → foreign farming machinery
- local farmers to access modern machinery → local agricultural workers to acquire advanced tools
- limiting their productivity → hindering their efficiency
- Relatedly → In connection with this
- protected from competition for too long → shielded from rivalry for an extended period
- innovate or improve their products → create new or enhance their offerings
- not under the same pressure to compete with more efficient global companies → not facing the same competition from more proficient international firms
- In some cases → Occasionally
- this results in the growth of uncompetitive industries that fail to meet global standards → this leads to the development of inefficient sectors that cannot compete with international benchmarks
- Despite high tariffs on foreign rice → Even with steep taxes on imported rice
- struggled to modernize and remain competitive with → found it difficult to modernize and stay competitive with
- rice-exporting nations → countries that export rice
- high tariffs → steep duties
- offer short-term benefits for developing countries → provide immediate advantages for emerging nations
- implemented cautiously → enforced carefully
- with a clear focus on long-term strategies → with a clear emphasis on sustained policies
- A balanced approach → A well-rounded strategy
- combines targeted protection for emerging industries with efforts to increase global competitiveness → merges specific safeguards for growing industries with initiatives to boost international competitiveness
Pronunciation
Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:
ɪn ˈriːsᵊnt jɪəz
ðeə hæz biːn kənˈsɪdᵊrəbᵊl dɪˈbeɪt rɪˈɡɑːdɪŋ ˈwɛðə
ɪmˈpəʊz haɪ ˈtærɪfs
prəˈtɛkt ænd ˈnɜːʧə ˈləʊkᵊl ˈɪndəstriz
waɪl ðeər ɑː kəmˈpɛlɪŋ ˈɑːɡjəmənts ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv ðɪs əˈprəʊʧ
ɒn ˈbælᵊns
ˈstrætəʤi
ðə məʊst ɪˈfɛktɪv səˈluːʃᵊn fɔː ˈfɒstərɪŋ səˈsteɪnəbᵊl ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk ɡrəʊθ
prəˈvaɪd ˈtɛmpᵊrᵊri rɪˈliːf tuː ˈflɛʤlɪn ˈɪndəstriz ɪn dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ ˈkʌntriz
baɪ ɪmˈpəʊzɪŋ ˈtærɪfs ɒn ɪmˈpɔːtɪd ɡʊdz
prəˈtɛktɪd frɒm ˌɪntəˈnæʃᵊnᵊl ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃᵊn
ɡrəʊ ænd ɪmˈpruːv ðeə ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvəti wɪˈðaʊt ði ɪˈmiːdiət θrɛt ɒv ˈʧiːpə ˈfɒrən ˈprɒdʌkts ˌʌndəˈkʌtɪŋ ðə ˈmɑːkɪt
ˈtærɪfs
ˈləʊkᵊl ˌmænjəˈfækʧᵊrəz
skeɪl ʌp ðeər ˌɒpᵊrˈeɪʃᵊnz
kriˈeɪt ʤɒbz fɔː ðə ˈləʊkᵊl ˈwɜːkfɔːs
ɪn sʌʧ ˈkeɪsɪz
ʃiːld
ˈfɒstərɪŋ ðə dɪˈvɛləpmənt ɒv dəˈmɛstɪk ˈɪndəstriz
ɪˈneɪbᵊlɪŋ ðɛm tuː bɪˈkʌm mɔː kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv ɪn ðə ˈɡləʊbᵊl ˈmɑːkɪt ˈəʊvə taɪm
liːd tuː ˈhaɪə ˈpraɪsɪz fɔː kənˈsjuːməz
ˈɪmpækt kɔːr ˈɪndəstriz
ˈstrʌɡᵊl wɪð ləʊ ˈweɪʤɪz
ˌɪmpəˈzɪʃᵊn
meɪk ɪˈsɛnʃᵊl ɡʊdz mɔːr ɪkˈspɛnsɪv
ˈfɜːðər ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪtɪŋ ˌɪnɪˈkwɒləti
ɪn ˈsɜːtᵊn ˌsaʊθˈiːst ˈeɪʒᵊn ˈkʌntriz
ɪmˈpɔːtɪd ˌæɡrɪˈkʌlʧᵊrᵊl ɪˈkwɪpmənt
ˈləʊkᵊl ˈfɑːməz tuː ˈæksɛs ˈmɒdᵊn məˈʃiːnᵊri
ˈlɪmɪtɪŋ ðeə ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvəti
rɪˈleɪtɪdli
prəˈtɛktɪd frɒm ˌkɒmpəˈtɪʃᵊn fɔː tuː lɒŋ
ˈɪnəveɪt ɔːr ɪmˈpruːv ðeə ˈprɒdʌkts
nɒt ˈʌndə ðə seɪm ˈprɛʃə tuː kəmˈpiːt wɪð mɔːr ɪˈfɪʃᵊnt ˈɡləʊbᵊl ˈkʌmpəniz
ɪn sʌm ˈkeɪsɪz
ðɪs rɪˈzʌlts ɪn ðə ɡrəʊθ ɒv ˌʌnkəmˈpɛtɪtɪv ˈɪndəstriz ðæt feɪl tuː miːt ˈɡləʊbᵊl ˈstændədz
dɪˈspaɪt haɪ ˈtærɪfs ɒn ˈfɒrən raɪs
ˈstrʌɡᵊld tuː ˈmɒdᵊnaɪz ænd rɪˈmeɪn kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv wɪð
raɪs-ɛksˈpɔːtɪŋ ˈneɪʃᵊnz
haɪ ˈtærɪfs
ˈɒfə ˌʃɔːtˈtɜːm ˈbɛnɪfɪts fɔː dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ ˈkʌntriz
ˈɪmplɪmɛntɪd ˈkɔːʃəsli
wɪð ə klɪə ˈfəʊkəs ɒn ˈlɒŋtɜːm ˈstrætəʤiz
ə ˈbælᵊnst əˈprəʊʧ
kəmˈbaɪnz ˈtɑːɡɪtɪd prəˈtɛkʃᵊn fɔːr ɪˈmɜːʤɪŋ ˈɪndəstriz wɪð ˈɛfəts tuː ɪnˈkriːs ˈɡləʊbᵊl kəmˈpɛtɪtɪvnəs
Vocabulary Practice
I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:
I_____________s, t____________________________________________________r developing countries should i_______________s to p______________________________________s. W________________________________________________________________h, o_____________e, such a s_________y may not always be t________________________________________________h.
On one hand, high tariffs can p_____________________________________________________________s. B_______________________________________s, local businesses are p____________________________________n, allowing them to g_________________________________________________________________________________________________________t. For example, in countries like Vietnam, t__________s on foreign electronics and automobiles have given l_________________s a chance to s__________________________s, improve technology, and c____________________________e. I_____________s, tariffs act as a s_______d, f____________________________________________________s and e____________________________________________________________________________________e.
However, high tariffs can l___________________________________s and i__________________s. In a developing economy, where many people already s____________________s, the i______________on of tariffs can m______________________________e, f_____________________________y. For example, i___________________________s, high tariffs on i_____________________________t have made it more expensive for l______________________________________y, l________________________y and overall income. R____________y, if industries are p___________________________________g, they may not i__________________________________s and services, as they are n____________________________________________________________________________s. I_____________s, t___________________________________________________________________________s. D__________________________e in countries like India, the local rice industry has s_______________________________________h other r_________________________s such as Vietnam and Thailand.
In conclusion, while h_____________s can o______________________________________________s, I believe they should only be i________________________y and w___________________________________s. A___________________h that c_____________________________________________________________________________________________________s.
Listening Practice
Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:
Reading Practice
Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:
https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/resource/tariffs-101-what-are-they-and-how-do-they-work/
Speaking Practice
Small Businesses
Question 1: Do you know many small businesses?
Question 2: Do you prefer buying things at big companies or small businesses?
Question 3: Have you ever worked at a small business?
Question 4: Have you ever thought about starting your own business?
Writing Practice
Some people believe that increasing tax on various industries will reduce pollution whereas others believe that there are better alternative ways.
Discuss both the view and give your opinion.
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