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Trade normalization, export quality, and in-migration of skilled workers: Evidence from China

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  • Zhou, Kang
  • Zhang, Junsen

Abstract

The conferral of Permanent Normal Trade Relations by the United States eliminated policy uncertainty in US tariffs on Chinese exports and stimulated the exports of incumbent Chinese firms to the US market. We exploit the granting of the PNTR to examine the effect of the preference of export destinations for high-quality products on the skill utilization of firms and regional skill migration in China. Estimates show that local exports to rich markets result in substantially higher employment of skilled workers by firms and a larger inflow of skilled workers into the prefectures. We examine mechanisms and find a more substantial increase in education premium in regions with larger export expansions to rich markets from 2000 to 2005. We conclude with the importance of South-North trade in interpreting the skill upgrading of firms and interregional skill migration in developing countries. (JEL F14, F16, J24, J61, O15, O19).

Suggested Citation

  • Zhou, Kang & Zhang, Junsen, 2021. "Trade normalization, export quality, and in-migration of skilled workers: Evidence from China," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 375-387.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:184:y:2021:i:c:p:375-387
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2020.12.028
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    Cited by:

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    3. Zhang, Junsen & Zhou, Kang, 2023. "Quota removal, destination-specific export shocks, and skill acquisition in China," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    4. Hu, Wanqi & Huang, Wangen & Wu, Jianxin & Zhang, Chaokai, 2024. "Place-based policies and local human capital accumulation: Evidence from China's special economic zone program," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O19 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations

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