The European Union (EU) has now become the largest trade partner of China. While the Sino-US trade relations and particularly the high-profile trade disputes between the US and China get considerable academic attention for geopolitical reasons, very few researches have been done on the Sino-EU trade disputes that gradually loom large on the horizon. This book delves into the trade disputes between China and the EU and identifies the causes for trade disputes. It examines how the disputes will shape the China-EU trade relations, and offers a macro overview on how the issues can be resolved or at least how they should be managed.

This timely book sheds light on the Sino-EU trade disputes thus putting it in global perspective and enriches the literature in this regard.

This is the fourth biennial edition of this handbook, which presents statistical data concerning the foreign economic relations of the European member countries of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA): Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, and the USSR. It also includes information on Yugoslavia. The handbook provides facts and figures on international trade flows, and on turnover in selected trade commodities between the supranational trading groups such as OECD, EEC, EFTA, and CMEA, and between CMEA members. It also provides information on international indebtness.

This volume is a major historical contribution to the enduring debate about whether trade makes peace more likely. In nine detailed historical case studies - spread over 500 years and spanning the globe - the contributors explore the dynamic between trade and conflict and examine the consequences of their intersection, direct and indirect, immediate and long term, anticipated and unexpected, transformative and destructive. The contributors break new ground by collectively showing that trade and conflict have been reciprocally constitutive: trade sparks conflict and conflict in turn provokes the adaptation of trade. Scholars who affirm a close association between trade and peace will have to take into account the close and persistent connection between trade and conflict, as will the makers of current trade policy.

In this timely volume, the ongoing, dramatic economic and geopolitical changes in NAFTA and the European Union are examined. Gianaris pays particular attention to the potential for stronger economic cooperation between North America and Western Europe. This unique book deals with similarities in economic organizations and related fiscal and monetary policies as they affect trade and financial transactions between these regions, and provides a detailed examination of trade and investment relations, capital flows, and currency realignments as well as transatlantic joint ventures. In addition, it deals with problems of privatization, employee participation, closer integration, and the challenge of enlarging NAFTA to include other Latin American countries and the European Union to include Eastern Europe. Gianaris weaves together a historical framework with comparative studies of the nation-states of NAFTA and the European Union. He discusses structural changes and the main problems and developments in the relationships between NAFTA and the European Union as well as problems of mutual trade, investments, and joint ventures. A useful book for students, scholars, and investors with a broad range of interests in the American and European continents.

The world of trade is changing rapidly, from the 'rise of the South' to the growth of unconventional projects like fair trade and carbon trading. Beyond Free Trade advances alternative ways for understanding these new dynamics, based on historical, political, or sociological methods that go beyond the limitations of conventional trade economics.

This book provides one of the first interdisciplinary reviews of the relationship between services, globalisation and trade liberalisation as we enter the twenty-first century. Written by academics and policymakers, it contains a detailed analysis of the characteristics of service trade and of recent and current service trade negotiations. The authors focus on exploring the complex relationship between the process of globalisation and the globalisation of services taking into consideration service trade negotiations. Many service functions reduce the relative distance between places and more importantly enable the process of globalisation. The globalisation of service functions is complex. Services are different from goods as they depend on human capital (embodied knowledge and reputations) and have to be localized to meet specific cultural and political requirements. The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) needs to be informed by an understanding of the differences that exist between goods and services as well as by the processes by which services globalise. The GATS has to be more than just about quantitative-based policies but also has to explore national regulations that inhibit trade in services. This book will be of special interest to economists, geographers and policymakers with a specific involvement in service trade and trade liberalization.

Opening a closed economy to trade can lead to greater trade and the emergence of a market economy. Sowing Market Reforms examines the assumptions of liberal economic theory and assesses the impact that increased trade has had on the Russian agrarian sector. Crumley argues that Russian agricultural producers are not simply homo economicus responding to price signals, but rather they are economic actors influenced by institutional, financial, and legal obstacles as well as political culture. By examining a sector of the economy that was exposed to increased imports more than four decades ago, Crumley illuminates the economic pressures, resistance, and reform that help to shape Russia's agrarian sector today.

As the prime force behind trade throughout the Western Hemisphere, the United States is emerging with two trade projects--the newly-signed North American Free Trade Agreement and the projected New American Community. This volume provides a clear, concise guide to all aspects of the 5-volume NAFTA accord, its side agreements, and the unfolding New American Community. It covers specific issues, rationalizations, ideologies, controversies, and recommended actions. With special emphasis on the North American Free Trade Agreement, the volume will provide a major resource for both academics and decision makers in industry and government. Written by a leading authority on U.S. Latin American trade, the volume includes entries, arranged alphabetically, on NAFTA and other trade-related topics. The NAFTA entries are based on the five-volume treaty or official government and nongovernmental publications. Since the New American Community is still emerging, the non-NAFTA entries are interpolations from past trade accords and existing nationwide agreements or ideas based on global concepts and directives, especially the European Union.

Human Capital, Trade and Public Policy in Rapidly Growing Economies argues that only two centuries ago, no society had ever enjoyed sustained growth in living standards. The contributors to this book aim to discover why the world today exhibits a predilection for perpetual self-improvement.In particular, the book focuses on the forces underlying long-lasting growth in East Asia's Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs). Drawing from the experiences of Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan, it questions whether public policy can contribute to removing barriers towards accumulation of wealth, and if so, what development policy should be put in place to remedy the existing distortions or market failure problems. Theoretical and empirical analyses are also used to broach other important issues, such as: Why do some economies experience growth while others decline? What are the major determinants of long-term growth and development? Is human capital the main driving force? Does international trade play a crucial role? This book will appeal to those with an interest in development and public policy.

This compelling research review discusses the major literary contributions to the economic analysis of the consequences of trade liberalization on growth, productivity, labor market outcomes and economic inequality. Examining the classical theories that stress gains from trade stemming from comparative advantage, the review also analyses more recent theories of imperfect competition, where any potential gains from trade can stem from competitive effects or the international transmission of knowledge. Empirical contributions provide evidence regarding the explanatory power of these various theories, including work on the effects of trade openness on economic growth, wages, and income inequality, as well as evidence on the effects of trade on firm productivity, entry and exit. This review will be an invaluable research resource for academics, practitioners and those drawn to this fascinating topic.

Economic globalisation and technological change are the two issues that concerned people in the past, concern them today and will concern them in the future - all over the world, poor or rich. Traditionally, questions about allocative effects are asked: What are the labour market implications? Who loses? Who wins? What is the net aggregate welfare effect after an adjustment period? However, two points are rarely taken into consideration: How do globalisation and technological change interact and what are the potential long-run implications for economic growth? This book addresses the interplay of these megatrends. It asks how economic globalisation may affect innovation and technology of individual firms and eventually the growth prospects of countries. Thereby it shows that protectionism not only harms static efficiency but might as well lead to dynamic losses. The book provides a systematic overview of the theoretical underpinnings of the openness-growth nexus and summarises the conceptual problems and important findings of the empirical analyses so far. The theoretical insights are supported by two empirical studies, the first dealing with the innovative behaviour and the "within-multinational" technology transfer of Spanish firms that were acquired by foreign companies and the second analysing productivity growth rate implications from exporting for German manufacturing firms.

This volume examines one of the major systemic changes in world economic history: the economic transformation in the Central European nations and the former Soviet states. Part I considers the dramatic adjustments in commodity structure and the geographic distribution of trade in these countries, while Part II surveys the sweeping transition of the Central and Eastern European countries' payments systems and the evolution of financial markets, exchange rates, and banking systems. Forms of integration with the global economy and proposed requirements for accession to the European Union are considered in Part III, and Part IV presents a model evaluating the record of structural adjustments in these transforming economies. The economic transformation in Central and Eastern Europe has been one of the major systemic changes in world economic history. This volume examines the dramatic changes in trade and payment systems in Central European nations and the former Soviet states during the first half of the 1990s. Part I considers the dramatic adjustments in commodity structure and the geographic distribution of trade in these countries, while Part II surveys the sweeping transition of the Central and Eastern European countries' payments systems and the evolution of financial markets, exchange rates, and banking systems. Forms of integration with the global economy and proposed requirements for accession to the European Union are considered in Part III, and Part IV presents a model evaluating the record of structural adjustments in these transforming economies. The main objective of this volume is to thoroughly cover the latest research advances in international trade and payments among these transforming economies. Written by noted authorities from prominent research centers, the chapters have a predominantly survey character and are supported by sound empirical evidence. Combining empirical research with policy evaluation and recommendations, this volume will serve as a resource for further studies on the economic transformation of the former Soviet bloc countries.

U.S. and German export control policies are compared, showing how these policies have responded to the changes in the international environment, including the end of the Cold War. The policy differences are explained through an analysis of differences in state interests and external constraints, state strategies, domestic support for export controls, and institutional constraints on policy change. The conclusion put forward is that despite a partial convergence of U.S. and German export control policies in the 1990s, diplomatic conflicts between the U.S. and European governments over export control issues will continue to erupt.

While there are many aspects to the challenges faced by nations and their people, trade is often one of the key issues faced and exemplifies the difficulty of finding a way through complex policy options. International trade has evolved beyond basic questions of tariffs. International trade laws and regulations affect aspects of life from access to healthy food to the protection of the latest innovations in communications and nanotechnology. An important challenge for all nations in the short term is whether the international trading system is configured to ensure sustainable economic growth that is enjoyed by all people of the world. This challenge is complicated by non-trade aspects haunting many nations' effort to improve the future for their citizens. The timely work contains a variety of essays from individuals who presently or in the past have been trade negotiators, worked in the WTO or its predecessor, are serving in legislatures, represent important constituencies, teach aspects of the WTO system or advise clients in the private sector. The essays are grouped into three sections: looking at the ongoing Doha negotiations and/or describing changes to the WTO system or negotiation approach that are needed/viewed as desirable; examining the direction US trade policy should take moving forward; and critically examining the world food crisis and what role the trading system and individual WTO members can take in helping to resolve the crisis.

A concise, yet complete study of the theory of international trade and foreign lending. The author discusses two of the major models used to discuss trade: the Theory of Comparative Advantage, and the Heckscher-Ohlin model. Connolly presents empirical tests of both theories, and then moves on to discuss, gains from trade and protectionist vs. free trade arguments and applies the basic trade model to international lending.

A norm of special treatment for LDCs, created by the UN, has spread to various international organisations including the WTO. Within the WTO evidence of the institutionalization of the norm can be found both in the agreements and legal documents and the way in which the LDCs have been treated by other states. Helen Hawthorne investigates how norms impact on negotiations in international organisations. She shows that few studies of international organisations focus on the role of the weaker states in the organization, the majority focus either on the major states or the emerging economies. By ignoring the role of the poorer, weaker states in the GATT/WTO we are ignoring the history of these states in the organisation and do not get a true picture of the organization, how it operates in relation to them and their impact on the organisation.

While most advanced industrial countries have adopted a liberal approach to the regulation of capital flow, the typical developing countries have been driven to control foreign exchange in order to prevent a flood of speculative capital inflow and retain domestic monetary resources for local development needs. This book examines the Taiwanese experience in balancing controls on foreign capital with domestic development needs in a manner that has stabilized the national economy and created a substantial trade surplus. Chich-Heng Kuo's position in the Taiwanese government enables him to provide an accurate analysis of the legal framework and policies that have contributed to his country's success.

Kuo begins with a review of international capital flow patterns and suggests standards for national performance and capital markets that will enable policymakers to evaluate the costs and benefits of foreign exchange controls. His appraisal of the role of capital regulation in Taiwanese economic development indicates that encouragement of foreign direct investment and strict controls on outward capital flow have been key factors in creating a strong economy. Kuo describes the gradual reversal of these policies starting in 1986, when Taiwan had begun to accumulate large foreign exchange reserves and needed to focus on foreign investment abroad to cool down inflationary pressures at home. The final chapter explores possible applications for economic development in other countries. Providing legal and policy analysis as well as information on the impact of specific types of regulations, this case study will be useful to policymakers, professionals, and scholars concerned with international trade, capital, and economic development.

Technology plays an increasing role in competitiveness in the global market. This authoritative new book consists of essays - theoretical as well as empirical - studying the relationships between technology, growth, international competitiveness and employment.The first part of the book shows that international competitiveness and market shares are mainly determined by R&D efforts and technological advantages. It goes on to provide some evidence for the importance of home market size for competitiveness and for the role of proximity and trade flows for stimulating dispersion of new knowledge. Issues discussed include the implications for growth of technical progress as a learning process and of the degree of openness of the economy. The book also addresses the role of multinationals as vehicles for technology diffusion and of monetary policy in a growth context, and the effects of technical progress on the demand for labour, skilled as well as unskilled. Technology and International Trade will be of interest to academics particularly those in the fields of international trade, economic growth, industrial organization and technology.

The only student textbook covering this frequently-taught subject Fully updated new edition includes updates in case law and the ongoing impact of the Insurance Act 2015 and a revised chapter on smart contracts to include discussion of Blockchain First two editions extremely well received and adopted by the market

This innovative book assesses the impact of labour standards on the competitiveness of firms through a comparison of developing and industrialized countries.The lack of a strict code of labour standards in developing countries is thought to result in unfair competition, which industrialized countries have used to justify protectionist policies. Developing countries are seen to oppose the adoption of labour standards, believing that such measures are likely to jeopardize their competitiveness in world markets. This book analyses both of these positions within the context of the current political debate on the subject. The authors investigate the reasons for implementing labour standards, and measure their impact upon firm competitiveness using a variety of empirical tests and statistics from approximately 165 countries. They conclude that labour standards do not have a significant impact on the competitiveness of firms or economies as a whole. From their evidence the authors offer policy advice including the decentralization of decision making for implementing labour standards, and the adoption throughout the world of core labour standards. Labour Standards and International Competitiveness will be welcomed by academics interested in international economics, development economics and labour economics, as well as by policymakers and practitioners working in international organizations.

Reevaluating NAFTA seeks to answer the question: has NAFTA integrated North America? A fifteen-year NAFTA appraisal finds trade expansion boosting optimism, but also unveils stark asymmetry between developed and developing countries as well as top-heavy NAFTA regulations seriously constraining ground-level integration. Using empirical data analysis and a wide-reaching theoretical context, this book seeks to evaluate the results of NAFTA's 'fifteen-year itch' to identify what worked and what didn't, and ultimately, to point to the future of North American integration.