The Gravity Model of Trade: Do Size and Distance Matter for the Exports of Japan?

The general standard for measuring the overall size of the nation's economic activity is the value of gross domestic product (GDP). One of the components of GDP is a measure of the value of exports and imports of goods and services. The hitch is that GDP includes a large component of non-tradable that does not or cannot enter into international trade flows to any significant degree-for example, most buildings and structures, and personal and government services. Consequently, even though internationally traded items such as financial services and travel and transportation services are included in GDP, when we compare the size of the foreign sector with the size of the domestic economy, we end up comparing apples with apples and pomegranates. As a result, comparing exports or imports of goods and services to GDP may understate the importance of international trade to relevant sectors of the domestic economy

International trade affects the economy by increasing the Aggregate Demand (AD), and by becoming a source of inputs for production. International trade based on the theory of comparative advantage will improve efficiency in allocating resources, as well as allow businesses to reach economies of scale - "the situation in which costs per unit of output fall as output increases", consequently reaching competitive prices of international markets (Colander, 2004, p. 428). When an economy involves itself in trade, under the right circumstances, it is able to shift the Production Possibility Curve (PPC) curve outward, and achieve greater levels of output. This increase in production can be achieved through the use of more resources

The main challenge about trade is the long-term condition of Japan. Although Japan performs well now, it is a receding market. There is a significant challenge for Japan in the future. It is facing a dwindling work population, as the average populace gets older. This provides a serious risk as if the workforce reduces in size so does the production. And production is one of the main factors that make Japan wealthy. In addition, even though it is the second largest economy in the world it will face high expenditure. This is a serious issue if not properly taken care of. However, a country with one of the highest GDP’s in the world is unlikely to mistreat

U.S. trade patterns are an important topic of study due to America’s power and central position in the international market. This topic of US trade partners and our trading patterns with those partners has been approached from a variety of perspectives by several economists. Namely, Sattinger (1978), Srivastava and Green (1986), Summary (1989), and Pollins (1989a and 1989b). The literature draws many conclusions from American competitiveness and the political and social factors that help explain bilateral trade patterns the choice of trade partners. And while there is an abundance of literature concerning this topic there has been little done from the perspective of how America’s trade partners have developed and shifted over the last 25 years, which is what this paper will focus on achieving. International trade flows are also an important topic and have been estimated by many economists including, Tinbergen (1962), Anderson (1979), Helpman and Krugman (1985), Helpman (1987), Feenstra (2002), and Anderson and van Wincoop (2003). Each of these researchers used a variant of the gravity model to estimate trade flows which not only demonstrates the continuing empirical validity of the model but gives firm background with which to base this analysis. The basic gravity model states that the volume of trade between two countries is proportional to the size of the two economies, and various measures of trade resistance such as geographical distance between the countries,

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Economics © 2003 by Tom Gorma Retrieved on February 27, 2012 http://www.infoplease.com/cig/economics/effect-imports-exports-gdp.html

When I, Marisa think about international trade one country comes to mind; Japan because Japan manufactures cars or electronics for example for America but it needs from us metals like iron and copper. Without us trading back and forth with Japan both sides would be hurting economy. In which I, Marisa will be going over more in detailed but first I, Marisa need to know the relation between international trade and world output, describe the broad pattern of international trade, if the nations of the world were to suddenly cut

Trading is very important economic factor. Trade between different countries depends upon different factors. There are some factors due to which bilateral trade between two states is enhanced. On contrary, there are some factors which restrict or reduce the trade between two countries (Meyer, 2011). Factors which enhance trade include different cultural, political, geographic and economic aspects which are common between the 2 countries involved in bilateral trade with each other. While trade is reduced or restricted, if two countries are completely different culturally, politically, geographically and economically (Siegel, 2011). For example, trade between two countries, having common boarder, currency, per capita income et cetera, will be lot more high than those countries which do not share these factors common with each

The population of the Asia region of the world contributes a massive amount of exporting goods, and global business as a whole. The sheer number of people consuming goods that must be imported to support the large population force the need for trade with other regions. The demand for resources is high and the need to develop strong trade relations with other countries is vital to the continued growth and success of Asian countries.

Currency: Japan uses the Yen, as The United States Uses the dollar. Exchange Rate 12/31/04 US=$1 and Yen = 110.5. Gross Domestic Product (GDP, at market exchange rate) $4.8 trillion for Japan and for the United States it is $11.50 trillion for 2004. Inflation Rate (consumer prices) Japan actually as a deflation of -0.4% as the United States as a inflation rate of 1.90%. Current Account Balance (2004F): $174.1 billion for Japan and the United States is 187.9 billion .Major Trading Partners for both countries.: Germany, Asian NIEs, China, OPEC Merchandise Exports (2004F): $522.4 billion for Japan and $630.57 billion for the United States. Merchandise Imports (2004F): $395.9 billion for Japan and 647 billion for United States. Merchandise Trade Surplus (2004F): $126.5 billion for Japan and for the United States it is $167 billion. Major Export Products for Both Countries: Machinery and transport equipment; chemical and other manufactured goods Major Import Products both countries: Chemical and other manufactured goods; machinery and transport equipment; mineral

Chinese and Japanese economies both make up large areas of the worlds economy; however, there are many differences in these countries with respect to economic development and current economic state. Analysis of Japans and Chinas economic development requires the observation of historical components as well as current actions to stimulate economy. The history of Chinese and Japanese economies holds many similarities and differences. Both Japan and China experienced growth in the 1400's, driving for a more advanced societies, with improved economic policies. However, in Japan the economic advances were more significant, especially when taking into account their trade with European nations in the 1500's, allowing for stimulation of their economy from more outside sources than

     International trade has been in existence throughout history and has an economic impact on the participating countries. Trade in most countries has a share of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and helps to boost the

Label these points B. (Look at the case of US and Japan’s export and import). (Each country will export what it specializes and import what it does not specialize)

For many years, the mode has been successful in its accurate prediction of the trade flows between countries for the goods and services traded. However, most scholars believed that there were no existences of the theoretical justification for the gravity equation. In almost all the economic models, gravity relationship often arise including trade costs that tend to increase with distance. Besides estimation of the patterns involved in the international trade, gravity model presents utilizes factors that are closely related to geography and specialty. Theoretically, the model has been used in testing hypothesis based on pure economic theories of trade. However, through evolution of the model, most economists have been able to focus on studies that hinder and enhance international trade such as

The international trade of goods across the world accounts for approximately 60% of the world Gross Domestic Product (The World Bank, 2014). A great proportion of goods transactions occur every second. The primary question is whether international trade benefits a country as an entirety, and, if so, why would a country implement protective trade policies to restrict particular exports? To address this question, this essay aims to explore the impact of trade on various economic stakeholders, including consumers, producers, labour and government and, furthermore, will compare models and theories with reality to ascertain the true winner/ loser in the international trade market.

However, GMS countries hold differing perspectives on the management of geographic and economic potentials. This supposition has been considered a key factor in GMS economies, specifically because geographic proximity leads to similarities in ethnicities, religions and culture. The high annual revenues Thailand receives through trade with neighboring GMS countries is an indicator of considerable increases in future trade. Thus, to determine the directionality of competitiveness among GMS markets, Thailand is a suitable basis for assessing the benefits and differences among GMS countries, as well as how these aspects drive the GMS economies.