In the early 1980s, the U. S. automobile industry managed to influence the government to negotiate a voluntary export restraint agreement with Japan that was in effect from 1981 until 1985. The predictable result was an average increase in the price of Japanese cars by about $1,000 and of U. S. cars by about $370. Also, as a result of the import quotas, 26,000 new jobs were created in the U. S. automobile industry. Refer to Situation 31-1. Which of the following arguments is least likely to have been used by the U. S. auto industry to argue for import quotas?
a) If the quantity of low-priced import cars is not restricted, foreigners will overtake the U. S. car market.
b) If import quotas are in place, our profits will increase by about $300 per vehicle.
c) A healthy auto industry is vital to our national security.
d) Japan is protecting its market, and so should we; all we want is a level playing field.