Which of the following is a major global force currently affecting the U.S. economy and politics?

• A. International trade tensions
• B. Domestic agricultural subsidies
• C. Local government spending
• D. State-level tax reforms

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the context of the question, which asks about major global forces affecting the U.S. economy and politics. This means focusing on factors that operate at an international or global scale rather than purely domestic or local issues.
2. Step 2: Identify the options that relate to global forces. Among the choices, 'International trade tensions' clearly involves interactions between countries and global markets, which can influence economic policies and political decisions in the U.S.
3. Step 3: Recognize that 'Domestic agricultural subsidies,' 'Local government spending,' and 'State-level tax reforms' are primarily domestic policies and do not represent global forces, even though they impact the economy locally or nationally.
4. Step 4: Recall that international trade tensions can include tariffs, trade agreements, and disputes between countries, which have significant effects on economic growth, employment, and political relations in the U.S.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the major global force among the options is 'International trade tensions' because it directly involves global economic interactions and political considerations.