Joe is a consultant for Sagacity, L$.$L$.$C$.,$ a consultancy that specializes in advising firms with multinational operations. His current client, Star Brands, produces microchips domestically, but uses a special type of silica that is not available in$-$country.

The government just removed a COVID$-$era restrictions on the import of silica. The silica no longer needs to be quarantined for $45$ days at an international port. Because of this change, Joe's opinion is that his client should adopt a more:

restrictive policy because their raw material carrying costs have decreased.

flexible policy because their raw material shortage costs have increased.

flexible policy because their raw material shortage costs have decreased.

restrictive policy because their raw material carrying costs have increased.

restrictive policy because their raw material shortage costs have decreased.

restrictive policy because their raw material shortage costs have increased.

flexible policy because their raw material carrying costs have decreased.

flexible policy because their raw material carrying costs have increased.