Global trade and economics

Economists studying international trade examine how the flow of goods, services, and capital across borders shapes the productivity and growth of individual firms and entire economies. When countries lower trade barriers, some firms expand into export markets and become more productive, while others contract or exit—understanding exactly why, and who benefits, remains an active area of inquiry. Researchers draw on detailed firm-level datasets to trace how exposure to global competition, foreign technology, and larger markets drives innovation and structural change within industries. Open questions include how the gains from trade are distributed across workers and regions, and how developing economies can position themselves to capture more of those gains as global supply chains continue to evolve.

Works

236,635

Total citations

2,024,249

Keywords

International TradeProductivityTrade LiberalizationFirm-Level DataGlobalizationExporting