(Solved): Exchange-rate fluctuations and international competitiveness Steel Block is a hypothetical U.S. ste ...

Exchange-rate fluctuations and international competitiveness Steel Block is a hypothetical U.S. steel manufacturer. The following table shows Steel Block's production costs of producing a ton of steel. Note that Steel Block denominates the costs of its inputs in dollars as well as pesos. Initially, in period 1 , the exchange value of the dollar is

per peso. Complete the Period 1 section in the following table by calculating the peso equivalent of the input costs and Steel Block's total cost of producing a ton of steel. Suppose that in period 2 , the dollar appreciates to

per peso. Complete the "Period 2 " section in the previous table by calculating the peso equivalent of the dollar-denominated costs, the dollar cost of the pesos- denominated costs, and the total costs for both currencies. Based on your calculations, the percentage change in total dollar costs of producing a ton of steel is , whereas the percentage change in total peso costs is Assume Steel Block competes with Mexican producers. As a result of the dollar appreciation, Steel Block's international competitiveness Suppose Steel Block decides to denominate all of its inputs acquired domestically in dollars. Which of the following is the most likely outcome of this decision? Steel Block's international competitiveness would improve even more. Steel Block's competitiveness would now improve. Steel Block's international competitiveness would worsen even more. There would be no difference in Steel Block's international competitiveness.