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Why Origin Matters in Trade Data

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  • Pierre Cotterlaz
  • Vincent Vicard

Abstract

Different reporting standards are applied to determine the country of origin of trade flows in existing international trade databases, altering the geography of trade. We illustrate this issue using two extensively used trade databases, UN-Comtrade and IMF-DoTS and show that it has important implications when evaluating the impact of trade policies using a gravity framework. We provide evidence that IMF-DoTs applies different reporting standards for intra- and extra-EU trade from 1999 onwards. Such discrepancies generate a (significant) upward bias in the estimated impact of RTA, the EU and the euro area on trade. Reporting standards also differ across declaring countries in UN-Comtrade. We show that it inflates the estimated impact of Brexit on trade.

Suggested Citation

  • Pierre Cotterlaz & Vincent Vicard, 2023. "Why Origin Matters in Trade Data," Working Papers 2023-23, CEPII research center.
    • Handle: RePEc:cii:cepidt:2023-23
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Gravity Equation; International Trade; Statistics; Regional Trade Agreements; European Union; Brexit;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F62 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Macroeconomic Impacts

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