Paid in China

Location is critical for many trading partnerships.  For instance, last year America’s number two and three trading relationships were with the world’s 10^th and 15^th largest economies: Canada and Mexico.  These two nations trade with the U.S in large part because of proximity.  However, with increased globalization, other key relationships developed.  As you might have guessed China (the world’s second largest economy) is now America’s number one trading partner.

Technology brings countries even closer.  Products and services are now traded without the need for physical interactions, just computers and internet connectivity, and this is why Oklahoma could become a great partner to China.

According to this article from the U.S. edition of the Guardian, Oklahoma’s economy is in a tough situation.  Despite ranking 49^th in the country for teacher pay, the Sooner State is having a difficult time paying pedagogues.  In fact, some districts have cut the school week to just four days, and there are anecdotes of entry level employees at convenience stores making more money than educators.

America’s number one trading partner might help.    According to this Bloomberg article, there are too few teachers in China capable to teaching subjects like English, but even in rural settings internet access brings foreign teachers directly to students.  Services are capable of connecting students and teachers in one-on-one classes. Virtual tutors in America are already teaching students in China, and when they are paid this counts as a service export.

Virtual classrooms on their own are not going to close America’s trade gap with China, but they could help.  Each month our nation runs a service surplus with the rest of world, but it only partially offsets the deficit we accumulate trading goods.  However, working abroad from home is a relatively new concept, so it could possibly have a larger and more positive impact both here in America and with our trading partners as it evolves.