Estimating US Consumer Gains from Chinese Imports

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Review: Insights
Year: 2019
Volume: 1
Issue: 2
Pages: 209-24

Authors (2)

Liang Bai (King's College London) Sebastian Stumpner (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We estimate the size of US consumer gains from Chinese imports during 2004–2015. Using barcode-level price and expenditure data, we construct inflation rates under CES preferences, and use Chinese exports to Europe as an instrument. We find significant negative effects of Chinese imports on US prices. This effect is driven by both changes in the prices of existing goods and the entry of new goods, and it is similar across consumer groups by income or region. A simple benchmarking exercise suggests that Chinese imports led to a 0.19 percentage point annual reduction in the price index for consumer tradables.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aerins:v:1:y:2019:i:2:p:209-24
Journal Field
General
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-24