Econ of Intl Trade Pol/Agmts

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

The post-WWI wave of globalization has slowed since 2008. Trade liberalization has actually been reversed by the decisions of countries such as the UK, to leave the EU, and the US, to start a trade war. Other sources for the elevated trade policy uncertainty include the supply-chain disruptions during the pandemic and the existential challenges faced by the World Trade Organization. The main goal of this course is to provide you with key economic concepts, tools and skills necessary to understand and evaluate these and other important trade policy issues. We will use a combination of lectures, research, group presentations, and policy simulations to analyze specific questions on topics of your choice, as well as broader questions such as the ones below. • What are the economic impacts of trade policies on consumers, firms, and workers? • Why do countries pursue trade wars and agreements and what are their impacts? • What are deep trade integration agreements and why do they address innovation, national security, and the environment? • What are the optimal trade policies for a given objective? We will address these in the context of contemporary issues. The course should be valuable if you plan a career in international business, diplomacy, academia or any profession affected by international trade.