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Reverse Importing and Asymmetric Trade and FDI: A Networks Explanation

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  • Theresa Greaney

    (Department of Economics, University of Hawaii at Manoa)

Abstract

This paper considers the impact of business and social networks on international trade and foreign direct investment (FDI). I propose that differences in the strength of network effects across countries can produce asymmetric trade and investment flows that may lead to trade friction. This proposition is examined using a model of multi-product producers of a differentiated product. A firm from a country with strong network effects has a cost advantage in selling to buyers from its own country. This advantage results in lower inward FDI, lower total imports but larger volumes of reverse imports (i.e., imports from overseas affiliates of that country’s own firms) into the country with strong network effects. The model’s predictions match observed asymmetric trade and investment flows that sometimes lead to US-Japan trade friction in industries such as automobiles.

Suggested Citation

  • Theresa Greaney, 2002. "Reverse Importing and Asymmetric Trade and FDI: A Networks Explanation," Working Papers 200215, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hai:wpaper:200215
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    File URL: http://www.economics.hawaii.edu/research/workingpapers/WP_02-15.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies; Fragmentation

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