A gravity model under competition

The paper presents an alternative derivation of the gravity equation for foreign trade, which is explicitly based on monopolistic competition in the export markets and which is more general than previously in the literature. In contrast to the usual specification, our model allows for the realistic assumption of asymmetry in mutual trade flows. The model is estimated for trade in Europe, producing evidence that trade flows and barriers do, indeed, reveal strong asymmetry. We then carry out a simulation, based on the estimated model, of general equilibrium effects, through trade, of possible UK entrance into EMU.