The politics of Chinese trade and the Asian financial crises : questioning the wisdom of export-led growth

Between 1987 and 1996 Chinese exports increased by an average of 14% each year. During this decade, export growth became a crucial determinant of overall economic growth. However, as a consequence of the East Asian financial crises, Chinese export growth slowed, threatening the successful implementation of plans to restructure the domestic Chinese economy. This paper traces the reasons for the rapid growth and subsequent slowing of Chinese exports, and asks whether the strategy provides a solid basis for the long term development of the Chinese economy. In particular, the paper focuses on the role and significance of the processing trade in boosting Chinese exports. The high proportion of imported components in processed exports questions whether China is really benefiting as much from export growth as aggregate trade figures seem to suggest

Six Phenomena that Bear on the Politics of Trade and Globalization

Don’t blame international trade for lost jobs. In truth, exports are practically the only source of current growth in the country’s private sector. That observation was offered by Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky, former United States trade representative, senior international partner at WilmerHale and the speaker invited to give the 40th Annual Pope John XXIII Lecture at the Columbus School of Law. Barshefsky, a 1975 alumna, discussed “Six Phenomena that Bear on the Politics of Trade and Globalization.” The former Clinton Administration cabinet member displayed a knack for turning conventional wisdom on its head. Stagnant economic times? “The world is growing at a torrid pace. It has no historic parallel,” Barshefsky said, noting that the world’s gross economic output grew tenfold from 1950 to 2000, an explosion of production and wealth that has no precedent in recorded history

128th Commencement Address

Ambassador Charlene Barshefsky, Senior International Partner at WilmerHale and a 1975 alumna of the Columbus School of Law, delivered the Law School’s 128th Commencement Address on Friday, May 26, 2017. Ambassador Barshefsky served as the US Trade Representative—the chief trade negotiator and principal trade policymaker for the United States—from 1997 to 2001, and acting as deputy USTR from 1993 to 1996