French foreign trade and the Great War: Ruptures and continuity[Le commerce extérieur français et la grande guerre : Ruptures et continuités]

This article analyses the consequences of the First World War on French international trade by using annual desegregated data for countries and products. It influenced significantly commercial flows with enemy and Allied countries. The share of neutral countries remained stable. Allied countries compensated for the lack of exchange with enemy countries. Insofar as products were concerned, the import of wheat, weapons, iron, steel and coal increased, while that of wool, silk and meat decreased. In the longer term, the First World War did not change the structure of French foreign trade: France retained the same pattern of outlets and partners.