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What Can Account for Fluctuations in the Terms of Trade?

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  • Marianne Baxter
  • Michael A. Kouparitsas

Abstract

This paper studies the sources of terms of trade volatility. We decompose the terms of trade into two components. The ‘goods price’ component stems from differences in the composition of import and export baskets, while the ‘country price’ component stems from deviations from the law of one price. Countries are classified according to their major import and export goods: commodities, manufactured goods and fuels. Except fuel exporters, there is roughly equal importance of goods price vs country price volatility. These results suggest that there may be a role for reducing terms of trade volatility through diversification of a country's exports.

Suggested Citation

  • Marianne Baxter & Michael A. Kouparitsas, 2006. "What Can Account for Fluctuations in the Terms of Trade?," International Finance, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 9(1), pages 63-86, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:intfin:v:9:y:2006:i:1:p:63-86
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2362.2006.00034.x
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • F41 - International Economics - - Macroeconomic Aspects of International Trade and Finance - - - Open Economy Macroeconomics

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