Section I examines the implications of production sharing in the context of preferential trade liberalization. Of particular interest is the case in which a free trade area which is clearly trade-diverting under traditional circumstances, becomes trade-creating with joint production. Trade in...

This paper examines the implications of cross-border production fragmentation in the context of regional integration, using both general- and partial-equilibrium approaches. It shows the conditions under which fragmentation converts a trade-diverting FTA into a trade creating one. It assesses...

Preferential trade agreements between dissimilar economies are known to encourage inter-industry specialization, but when they take place between developed and developing countries, they also change the nature of intra-industry trade by facilitating cross-border production sharing. When such...

This paper examines the implications of cross-border component sourcing and production networks for trade competitiveness and welfare. Offshore sourcing of components in which it has comparative disadvantage, enables a country to enhance its comparative advantage in the final product. This...