If the U.S. dollar weakens relative to foreign currencies, it takes more dollars to buy the same amount of foreign currency. As a result, foreign goods become more expensive for U.S. consumers, which makes choice D correct. This is a straightforward foreign exchange relationship tested on the SIE under international economic factors and exchange rates.
To see why, imagine a product priced in euros. If the dollar weakens against the euro, each euro costs more in dollars, so that same euro-priced item costs more when converted into USD. This tends to reduce U.S. demand for imports (not increase it), because imported goods now require more dollars to purchase. That’s why choice A is generally false.
A weaker dollar often has the opposite effect on U.S. exporters: U.S. goods become cheaper to foreign buyers because foreign currencies can purchase more dollars than before. That can make U.S. products more competitive abroad, which may increase exports, not decrease them. Therefore, choice B is also generally false. Choice C is the opposite of what happens: foreign goods become more expensive, not less.
SIE questions frequently test these directional relationships rather than requiring calculations. The key rule to remember: weaker domestic currency → imports cost more, exports tend to become more competitive (all else equal). This can affect corporate earnings, inflation pressures, and market sectors differently, which is why exchange rates are included as a foundational macroeconomic concept on the SIE outline.
