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WTO accession, trade expansion, and air pollution: Evidence from China’s county‐level panel data

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  • Shuai Chen
  • Faqin Lin
  • Xi Yao
  • Peng Zhang

Abstract

This study provides evidence that trade expansion has contributed to the degradation of air pollution in China. On the basis of different responses of counties’ trade to China's World Trade Organization accession at the end of 2001, we exploit air pollution data from NASA to construct a difference‐in‐differences predicted trade as an instrument for our identification. We document statistically significant and robust evidence on trade expansion, which accounts for approximately 60% and 20% for the increase of PM2.5 and SO2, respectively, in China. Findings on trade pollution relation are robust to various tests. Deterioration in the environment is mainly driven by scale and trade in polluting sectors.

Suggested Citation

  • Shuai Chen & Faqin Lin & Xi Yao & Peng Zhang, 2020. "WTO accession, trade expansion, and air pollution: Evidence from China’s county‐level panel data," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(4), pages 1020-1045, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:reviec:v:28:y:2020:i:4:p:1020-1045
    DOI: 10.1111/roie.12480
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    3. Li, Hongbing & Zheng, Qingbiao & Zhang, Bingbing & Sun, Chuanwang, 2021. "Trade policy uncertainty and improvement in energy efficiency: Empirical evidence from prefecture-level cities in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).

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