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The slowdown in trade: end of the “globalisation hype” and a return to normal?

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  • Ansgar Belke

    (University of Duisburg-Essen
    CEPS Brussels and King’s College London)

  • Daniel Gros

    (CEPS Brussels and King’s College London)

Abstract

Trade liberalisation has been a significant driver of globalisation over the past half century, but global trade has slowed in recent years. This paper argues that globalisation can also be driven by higher commodity prices, as commodities constitute a large fraction of global trade. This is reflected in trade volumes and commodity prices, which increased until around 2014 but have fallen since. Commodity price-driven globalisation implies lower living standards in advanced countries, as the higher commodity prices diminish the purchasing power of workers. Based on a Krugman (Am Econ Rev 70(5): 950-959. 1980, J Polit Econ 89(5): 959-973 1981) type model we show that the relation between globalisation and the “emergence of China” follows a hump-shaped relationship. Moreover, we argue that the “globalization hype” should come to an end with an eye on global value chains and finance.

Suggested Citation

  • Ansgar Belke & Daniel Gros, 2021. "The slowdown in trade: end of the “globalisation hype” and a return to normal?," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 45(2), pages 225-239, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jecfin:v:45:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s12197-019-09498-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s12197-019-09498-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert Koopman & Zhi Wang & Shang-Jin Wei, 2014. "Tracing Value-Added and Double Counting in Gross Exports," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 104(2), pages 459-494, February.
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    3. Krugman, Paul, 1980. "Scale Economies, Product Differentiation, and the Pattern of Trade," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 70(5), pages 950-959, December.
    4. Ansgar Belke & Daniel Gros, 2017. "The Economic Impact of Brexit: Evidence from Modelling Free Trade Agreements," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 45(3), pages 317-331, September.
    5. Krugman, Paul R, 1981. "Intraindustry Specialization and the Gains from Trade," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 89(5), pages 959-973, October.
    6. Gros, Daniel, 1987. "A note on the optimal tariff, retaliation and the welfare loss from tariff wars in a framework with intra-industry trade," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(3-4), pages 357-367, November.
    7. Ethier, Wilfred J, 1982. "National and International Returns to Scale in the Modern Theory of International Trade," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 72(3), pages 389-405, June.
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