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Hub-and-spoke free trade areas: theory and evidence from Israel

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  • George Deltas
  • Klaus Desmet
  • Giovanni Facchini

Abstract

We study how the sequential formation of free trade areas affects trade flows between member countries. In a three-country, three-good model of comparative advantage if two countries have an FTA, and both sign a similar agreement with the third, trade between the two decreases. However, if only one of them signs an additional FTA, a hub- and-spoke pattern arises, and trade between the initial members increases. Israel's experience lends strong support to our model: trade between Israel and the EU, subject to an FTA since 1975, increased by an additional 29% after the introduction of the US-Israel FTA in 1985.

Suggested Citation

  • George Deltas & Klaus Desmet & Giovanni Facchini, 2012. "Hub-and-spoke free trade areas: theory and evidence from Israel," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 45(3), pages 942-977, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cje:issued:v:45:y:2012:i:3:p:942-977
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-5982.2012.01722.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Chessa, Michela & Persenda, Arnaud & Torre, Dominique, 2023. "Brexit and Canadadvent: An application of graphs and hypergraphs to recent international trade agreements," International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 1-12.
    2. Ha Yoon Song & Hyochang Han, 2020. "A Design of a Parcel Delivery Systemfor Point to Point Delivery with IoT Technology," Future Internet, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Yang, Yichen & Liu, Wen, 2024. "Free trade agreements and domestic value added in exports: An analysis from the network perspective," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    4. Norikatsu Hiraide & Leilei Shen & Peri Silva, 2020. "The importance of heterogeneity in determining the effects of preferential trade agreements on Foreign Direct Investment," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(12), pages 3262-3295, December.
    5. Juyoung Cheong & Do Won Kwak & Kam Ki Tang, 2015. "Can Trade Agreements Curtail Trade Creation and Prevent Trade Diversion?," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(2), pages 221-238, May.
    6. Jong Hee Park & Byung Koo Kim, 2020. "Why your neighbor matters: Positions in preferential trade agreement networks and export growth in global value chains," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(3), pages 381-410, November.
    7. Wang, Xiaozhuo & Yang, Guang, 2025. "Does being embedded in RTA networks promote firm productivity? Evidence from Chinese firms," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    8. Dominik Naeher & Philippe Lombaerde & Takfarinas Saber, 2025. "Evaluating accession decisions in customs unions: a dynamic machine learning approach," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 1-27, February.
    9. Fan, Zhaobin & Long, Rui & Anwar, Sajid & Wang, Jinrui, 2025. "Does centrality within trade agreements network matter to economic complexity? The conditioning effects of network structure," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    10. P. Commendatore & I. Kubin & I. Sushko, 2021. "Obtaining a hub position: A New Economic Geography analysis of industry location and trade network structures," Metroeconomica, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(1), pages 148-172, February.
    11. Jafari, Yaghoob & Engemann, Helena & Zimmermann, Andrea, 2023. "Food trade and regional trade agreements – A network perspective," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    12. Jinsoo Park, 2015. "Korea’s linkage strategy between FTA hub policy and middle power leadership in regional economic integration," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 13(4), pages 379-394, December.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F11 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Neoclassical Models of Trade
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations

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