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United States-China trade: where are the exports?

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  • Barry Bosworth
  • Susan Collins

Abstract

This paper empirically examines US goods trade with China, focusing on the performance of exports. Throughout the analysis, we explore whether US trade is unusual by contrasting it with trade from Japan and the EU-15. The issue is examined from three perspectives: the commodity composition of exports, the role of multinational firms, and the estimation of a set of 'gravity equations' that explore the role of market size and distance from the United States. We find that the commodity composition of trade with China is not distorted, nor can the low level be related to an unusual role of US multinationals in China. Instead, distance does seem to exert a surprisingly large effect on trade. Finally, while exports to China may be a small share of US GDP, they are relatively substantial compared to US exports to other countries. In other words, the measure of US trade performance in China is distorted by the low level of its exports to all countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Barry Bosworth & Susan Collins, 2008. "United States-China trade: where are the exports?," Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(1), pages 1-21.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jocebs:v:6:y:2008:i:1:p:1-21
    DOI: 10.1080/14765280701841292
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Catherine L. Mann, 1999. "Is the U.S. Trade Deficit Sustainable?," Peterson Institute Press: All Books, Peterson Institute for International Economics, number 47, April.
    2. Lee Branstetter & C. Fritz Foley, 2010. "Facts and Fallacies about US FDI in China," NBER Chapters, in: China's Growing Role in World Trade, pages 513-539, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    3. William R. Cline, 2005. "United States as a Debtor Nation, The," Peterson Institute Press: All Books, Peterson Institute for International Economics, number 3993, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Prema-chandra Athukorala & Archanun Kophaiboon, 2013. "Trade and Investment Patterns in Asia: Implications for Multilateralizing Regionalism," Departmental Working Papers 2013-16, The Australian National University, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics.
    2. Saiful Alim Rosyadi & Tri Widodo, 2018. "Impact of Donald Trump’s tariff increase against Chinese imports on global economy: Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model," Journal of Chinese Economic and Business Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(2), pages 125-145, April.

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    Keywords

    China; United States; trade;
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