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Trade Reforms and Current Account Imbalances

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  • Jiandong Ju
  • Kang Shi
  • Shang-Jin Wei
Abstract
This paper studies the effects of trade liberalization on capital flows in a dynamic Heckscher-Ohlin model, and makes four contributions. First, we identify an interest rate over-determination problem in such a model, and solve it with an endogenous discount factor. Second, we show that a trade liberalization in a developing country generally leads to a greater current account surplus, which is the exact opposite of a common but partial equilibrium intuition. Third, factor market reforms reinforce the effect of the trade liberalization on capital outflows. Finally, our calibrations suggest that China’s accession to the WTO is likely an important factor driving the rise of its current account surplus.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiandong Ju & Kang Shi & Shang-Jin Wei, 2012. "Trade Reforms and Current Account Imbalances," NBER Working Papers 18653, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:18653
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    Cited by:

    1. Alessandro Barattieri, 2022. "Asymmetric trade liberalizations and current account dynamics," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 55(2), pages 905-936, May.
    2. Ganelli, Giovanni & Tervala, Juha, 2015. "Value of WTO trade agreements in a New Keynesian model," Journal of Macroeconomics, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 347-362.
    3. Li, Wei & Nie, Guangyu & Wang, Zi, 2020. "Trade, FDI, and Global Imbalances," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    4. Liu, Zheng & Spiegel, Mark M. & Zhang, Jingyi, 2023. "Capital flows and income inequality," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    5. Claudio Borio & Piti Disyatat, 2015. "Capital flows and the current account: Taking financing (more) seriously," BIS Working Papers 525, Bank for International Settlements.
    6. Fan, Haichao & Li, Yao Amber & Yeaple, Stephen R., 2018. "On the relationship between quality and productivity: Evidence from China's accession to the WTO," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 28-49.
    7. Ju, Jiandong & Lin, Justin Yifu & Liu, Qing & Shi, Kang, 2020. "Structural changes and the real exchange rate dynamics," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    8. George Alessandria & Horag Choi & Dan Lu, 2017. "Trade Integration and the Trade Balance in China," IMF Economic Review, Palgrave Macmillan;International Monetary Fund, vol. 65(3), pages 633-674, August.
    9. Yuan, Shenguo & Wu, Zhouheng & Liu, Lanfeng, 2022. "The effects of financial openness and financial efficiency on Chinese macroeconomic volatilities," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    10. Barattieri, Alessandro, 2014. "Comparative advantage, service trade, and global imbalances," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(1), pages 1-13.
    11. Mina Kim & Deokwoo Nam & Jian Wang & Jason J. Wu, 2013. "International trade price stickiness and exchange rate pass-through in micro data: a case study on U.S.–China trade," Globalization Institute Working Papers 135, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
    12. Claudio Borio & Piti Disyatat, 2015. "Capital flows and the current account: Taking financing (more) seriously," BIS Working Papers 525, Bank for International Settlements.
    13. Shenggen Fan & Ravi Kanbur & Shang-Jin Wei & Xiaobo Zhang, 2013. "The Economics of China: Successes and Challenges," NBER Working Papers 19648, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    14. Haichao Fan & Cui Hu & Faqin Lin & Huanhuan Wang, 2022. "Trade liberalization and decentralization of state‐owned enterprises: Evidence from China," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 60(1), pages 224-246, January.
    15. Fan, Haichao & Lin, Faqin & Lin, Shu, 2020. "The hidden cost of trade liberalization: Input tariff shocks and worker health in China," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    16. Mina Kim & Deokwoo Nam & Jian Wang & Jason Wu, 2013. "International Trade Price Stickiness and Exchange Rate and Pass-Through in Micro Data: A Case Study on US-China Trade," Working Papers 202013, Hong Kong Institute for Monetary Research.
    17. Wörgötter, Andreas & Coricelli, Fabrizio & Ravasan, Farshad R, 2013. "The origins of the German current account surplus: Unbalanced productivity growth and structural change," CEPR Discussion Papers 9527, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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    • F2 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business
    • F3 - International Economics - - International Finance

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