"In general, if any branch of trade, or any division of labour, be advantageous to the public, the freer and more general the competition, it will always be the more so."
—Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations, Book II, Chapter 2

Which of the following entities would most likely agree with Adam Smith's statement?

A. Consumer protection agencies demanding more government oversight
B. Labor union leaders advocating taxes on imports
C. Public utility company that manages regional power supplies
D. Stockholders for a pharmaceuticals company that has a new cancer drug

Adam Smith, as discussed in his work 'The Wealth of Nations,' advocated for free trade as a means to benefit the public through increased competition. The idea is that when trade is open and competition is widespread, it benefits consumers and leads to overall advantages for the public.

This concept aligns with the belief that a free market economy guided by the principles of comparative advantage can lead to optimal allocation of resources and increased productivity, as explained by David Ricardo in his economic theories.

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