## Changing Patterns of Global Trade

_Policy Papers, June 15, 2011_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Changing Patterns of Global Trade](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/changing-patterns-of-global-trade-pp4578)

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## Bibliographic details
- Published: June 15, 2011
- Series: Policy Papers

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### Key findings on trade evolution
- As a share of global output, trade is now at almost three times the level in the early 1950s.
- Growth in trade has been driven in large part by the integration of rapidly growing emerging market economies (EMEs).
- The expansion in trade is mostly accounted for by growth in noncommodity exports, especially of high-technology products such as computers and electronics.
- Trade developments are characterized by a growing role of global supply chains and an ongoing shift of technology content toward EMEs.
- These developments have been associated with growing trade interconnectedness and carry important implications for trade patterns, in particular in response to relative price changes.

### Analytical focus and objectives
- Aim of the paper: outline the factors underlying these changes and analyze their implications for the outlook for global trade patterns.

### Policy-relevant implications (derived from the paper's analysis)
- Increased integration of EMEs implies that shocks and price changes in EMEs can have amplified effects on global trade patterns.
- The rise of noncommodity and high-technology exports shifts comparative advantage dynamics and may alter trade elasticities and adjustment channels.
- The growing role of global supply chains suggests policy attention to cross-border production linkages and the propagation of shocks through intermediate goods trade.
- The shift of technology content toward EMEs highlights the importance of policies that support technology diffusion, skills, and infrastructure in both EMEs and advanced economies.

### Subject tags (as listed)
- China
- Demand elasticity
- Euro Area
- Export growth
- Export markets
- Export prices
- Exports
- International trade
- Japan
- Supply elasticity
- Trade integration
- United States

*Changing Patterns of Global Trade, June 15, 2011.*

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## Content in this bundle

- **Changing Patterns of Global Trade ; IMF Policy Paper; June 15, 2011**
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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/policy-papers/issues/2016/12/31/changing-patterns-of-global-trade-pp4578_