International Transmission of Inequality through Trade

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Year: 2025
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Pages: 311-44

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

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

Abstract

I examine the international transmission of income inequality through trade. Using firm-level and aggregate data, I find that exporting to more unequal countries increases domestic inequality. I rationalize this finding by developing a model of international consumer targeting in which firms serve specific consumer segments in each market. Inequality in export markets shapes the distribution of firms' profits and, therefore, the incomes of individuals linked to them, widening domestic inequality. The calibrated model suggests that international inequality transmission explains 4.4 percent and 4.8 percent of the observed levels of Gini coefficients and income shares of the top 1 percent, respectively.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejpol:v:17:y:2025:i:3:p:311-44
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-26