The number of automobile workers in Burdistan has not increased during the same period. Esterian automobile manufacturers have lowered the price of their automobiles so as to remain competitive with the manufacturers in Burdistan. Because vehicles manufactured in Esteria have a reputation for high quality, many Esterian consumers have continued to purchase domestically manufactured vehicles since the tax was abolished. Recent innovations in automated automobile-manufacturing technology have approximately halved the number of worker-hours required to produce most automobiles.
The cost of manufacturing automobiles is considerably greater in Esteria than in Burdistan. In order to stimulate Esterian consumers' purchases of domestically manufactured automobiles, the Esterian government has historically charged taxes on automobiles manufactured in Burdistan. Five years ago, however, the Esterian government dropped those taxes; in those five years, the number of workers employed in Esterian automobile factories has decreased by 30%. Ttherefore, the number of vehicles manufactured and sold in Esteria must have decreased in the last five years.
Which of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?