From tariffs to technology policies: the role of regionalism in the digital economy

María Gabriela Ramos-Barrera, Claudia Milena Pico-Bonilla and Andrés Aguilera-Castillo

International Journal of Trade and Global Markets, 2025, vol. 21, issue 5, 534-559

Abstract: This paper explores the evolving role of regionalism in fostering technology transfer within global value chains (GVCs). Combining theoretical and empirical perspectives, we analyse WTO-X provisions in regional trade agreements (RTAs) and assess their capacity to promote knowledge diffusion, innovation, and digital transformation. The findings reveal that: i) while RTAs increasingly include provisions on technology transfer, most lack legally binding mechanisms, limiting their effectiveness in enabling technological upgrading, particularly in developing economies; ii) by examining key indicators such as AI preparedness and regional disparities in knowledge production, the study underscores structural inequalities that constrain inclusive development; and iii) there is an underexplored intersection of regionalism and technology transfer in academic research. The paper concludes by advocating for a stronger regionalism framework with enforceable commitments to innovation policies, education, and industrial cooperation, essential for fostering equitable technology diffusion and sustainable economic integration in the digital era.

Keywords: regionalism; technology transfer; GVCs; global value chains; trade agreements; digital economy. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijtrgm:v:21:y:2025:i:5:p:534-559

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