The Elasticity of Trade: Estimates and Evidence

71 Pages Posted: 28 Feb 2011 Last revised: 23 Nov 2024

See all articles by Ina Simonovska

Ina Simonovska

University of California - Davis; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Michael E. Waugh

New York University (NYU), Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Department of Economics

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Date Written: February 2011

Abstract

Quantitative results from a large class of structural gravity models of international trade depend critically on the elasticity of trade with respect to trade frictions. We develop a new simulated method of moments estimator to estimate this elasticity from disaggregate price and trade-flow data and we use it within Eaton and Kortum's (2002) Ricardian model. We apply our estimator to disaggregate price and trade-flow data for 123 countries in the year 2004. Our method yields a trade elasticity of roughly four, nearly fifty percent lower than Eaton and Kortum's (2002) approach. This difference doubles the welfare gains from international trade.

Suggested Citation

Simonovska, Ina and Waugh, Michael E., The Elasticity of Trade: Estimates and Evidence (February 2011). NBER Working Paper No. w16796, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1768554

Ina Simonovska (Contact Author)

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Michael E. Waugh

New York University (NYU), Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Department of Economics ( email )

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