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Demand Uncertainty, Selection, and Trade

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Abstract

This paper examines the role of uncertainty on elasticities of trade flows with respect to variable trade costs in a canonical model of trade with monopolistic competition and heterogeneous firms. We identify two channels through which uncertainty impacts trade: through export participation thresholds (the selection effect) and the distribution of shocks governing export selection (the dispersion effect). While the selection effect dampens trade elasticities under uncertainty, the dispersion effect is ambiguous. We develop a methodology for using customs firm-level data to quantify trade elasticities under uncertainty, and the magnitude of each of the two channels through which uncertainty impacts trade. We find that uncertainty amplifies trade elasticities, on average, indicating that the dispersion effect of idiosyncratic firm-level shocks dominates -- though the effect is heterogeneous across industries. The overall magnitude of the endogenous selection mechanism on trade elasticities is small, indicating that the main drivers of trade in this class of trade models are overwhelmingly incumbent firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Erick Sager & Olga A. Timoshenko, 2024. "Demand Uncertainty, Selection, and Trade," Finance and Economics Discussion Series 2024-042, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (U.S.).
    • Handle: RePEc:fip:fedgfe:2024-42
    DOI: 10.17016/FEDS.2024.042
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    1. di Giovanni, Julian & Levchenko, Andrei A. & Rancière, Romain, 2011. "Power laws in firm size and openness to trade: Measurement and implications," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 85(1), pages 42-52, September.
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    4. Bartezzaghi, Emilio & Verganti, Roberto & Zotteri, Giulio, 1999. "A simulation framework for forecasting uncertain lumpy demand," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 59(1-3), pages 499-510, March.
    5. Bas, Maria & Mayer, Thierry & Thoenig, Mathias, 2017. "From micro to macro: Demand, supply, and heterogeneity in the trade elasticity," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 1-19.
    6. Ana M. Fernandes & Peter J. Klenow & Sergii Meleshchuk & Martha Denisse Pierola & Andrés Rodríguez- Clare, 2023. "The Intensive Margin in Trade: How Big and How Important?," American Economic Journal: Macroeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 15(3), pages 320-354, July.
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    8. Nigai, Sergey, 2017. "A tale of two tails: Productivity distribution and the gains from trade," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 44-62.
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    JEL classification:

    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations

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