Trade and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons from French Firms
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Summary:
This paper uses granular customs data from France to investigate propagation of the COVID-19 shock along the supply chains in 2020. It quantifies the effect of the COVID-19 shock on trade adjustment and identifies mitigating and amplifying factors contributing to French firms’ heterogeneous adjustment paths. Early in the pandemic, firms mainly responded to global lockdowns and spread of the virus by reducing trade volumes (intensive margin) as opposed to exiting from import and export markets (ex-tensive margin). However, adjustment along the extensive margin played a more important role in trade with developing countries. It is shown that the impact of lockdowns was stronger for final consumer goods and the trade recovery was predominantly demand-driven. More automated, inventory-intensive, older, and medium-sized firms were more insulated from the shock, whereas firms’ reliance on air transportation for shipping goods amplified the shock. Trade bans and promotion measures implemented by governments in response to the pandemic had little impact on aggregate trade flows.
Series:
Working Paper No. 2022/081
Subject:
COVID-19 Exports Health Imports International trade Trade balance Trade policy
Frequency:
regular
English
Publication Date:
May 6, 2022
ISBN/ISSN:
9798400204364/1018-5941
Stock No:
WPIEA2022081
Pages:
34
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