Structural Estimation and Solution of International Trade Models with Heterogeneous Firms

Edward Balistreri, Russell Hillberry and Thomas Rutherford (rutherford@aae.wisc.edu)

No 1056, Department of Economics - Working Papers Series from The University of Melbourne

Abstract: We present an empirical implementation of a general-equilibrium model of international trade with heterogeneous manufacturing firms. The theory underlying our model is consistent with Melitz (2003). A nonlinear structural estimation procedure identifies a set of core parameters and unobserved firm-level trade frictions that best fit the geographic pattern of trade. Once the parameters are identified, we utilize a decomposition technique for computing general-equilibrium counterfactuals. We first assess the economic effects of reductions in measured tariffs. Taking the simple-average welfare change across regions the Melitz structure indicates welfare gains from liberalization that are nearly four times larger than in a standard trade policy simulation. Furthermore, when we compare the economic impact of tariff reductions with reductions in estimated fixed trade costs we find that policy measures affecting the fixed costs are of greater importance than tariff barriers

JEL-codes: C68 F12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 37 pages
Date: 2008
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-int
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Structural estimation and solution of international trade models with heterogeneous firms (2011)
Working Paper: Structural Estimation and Solution of International Trade Models with Heterogeneous Firms (2008)
Working Paper: Structural Estimation and Solution of International Trade Models with Heterogeneous Firms (2007)
Working Paper: Structural Estimation and Solution of International Trade Models with Heterogeneous Firms (2007)
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