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China and the Latin America Commodities Boom: A Critical Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Kevin Gallagher
  • Roberto Porzecanski

Abstract

This Working Paper analyzes the extent to which Chinese demand enhanced the performance of Latin American economies in economic boom that took place from the turn of the century until the run up to the financial and economic crisis of 2008-2009. It has been argued that China’s rise was been a blessing for the region, because Chinese demand boosted exports and in part caused a hike in commodities prices worldwide. The author finds that the direct impact on the Latin American exports was much smaller than what was touted. He goes on to address concerns over a Chinese-demand-led 'resource curse' and deindustrialization in Latin America.

Suggested Citation

  • Kevin Gallagher & Roberto Porzecanski, 2009. "China and the Latin America Commodities Boom: A Critical Assessment," Working Papers wp192, Political Economy Research Institute, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
  • Handle: RePEc:uma:periwp:wp192
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    File URL: https://per.umass.edu/fileadmin/pdf/working_papers/working_papers_151-200/WP192.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Yue Teng & Dic Lo, 2019. "Determinants of Developing Countries' Export Upgrading: The Role of China and Productive Investment," Working Papers 227, Department of Economics, SOAS University of London, UK.
    2. Alex Ferreira & Arie Gozluklu & João Mainente, 2026. "Central Bank Reserves and Currency Volatility," Open Economies Review, Springer, vol. 37(2), pages 633-673, April.
    3. Guilherme Schneider Rasador & Luciane Franke & Fernanda Cristina Wiebusch Sindelar, 2024. "US–China Trade War: an empirical evaluation regarding its impacts on Brazilian exports," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 883-906, October.
    4. Ortiz, Isabel, & Cummins, Matthew. & Karunanethy, Kalaivani., 2015. "Fiscal space for social protection and the SDGs options to expand social investments in 187 countries," ILO Working Papers 994877663402676, International Labour Organization.
    5. Murat Arsel & Andrew M. Fischer, 2015. "Forum 2015," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 46(4), pages 700-732, July.
    6. John C. Edmunds & Frederic Chartier, 2015. "Latin American Economic Growth," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 7(1), pages 21-27, January.
    7. Gilberto Libanio & Diana Chaib, 2021. "The competition between China and Korea for export markets in Latin America: an analysis by technological categories," Textos para Discussão Cedeplar-UFMG 632, Cedeplar, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.
    8. Isabel Ortiz & Jingqing Chai & Matthew Cummins, 2011. "Identifying Fiscal Space:Options for Social and Economic Development for Children and Poor Households in 184 Countries," Working papers 1108, UNICEF,Division of Policy and Strategy.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • Q3 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation

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