The future of global trade amid shifting geopolitics

The European Central Bank and the Bank of Canada are hosting a joint conference on the future of global trade amid shifting geopolitics on 18 and 19 September 2023 in Frankfurt am Main. This conference aims to bring together researchers, policymakers, and industry participants to discuss the future of international trade integration amid heightened geopolitical tensions. We welcome submissions of work on all aspects of global trade, including its policy and political dimensions.

Relevant topics include, but are not limited to:

• The impact of geopolitical tensions on trade relations, for example, the costs and benefits of friend-shoring
• Empirical evidence on trade fragmentation including friend-shoring or re-shoring (e.g., firm-level, FDI)
• The macroeconomic costs of trade fragmentation including the impact on productivity, knowledge diffusion and potential output. Are there potential benefits in terms of the resilience of the supply chain?
• The future of multilateralism and the role of emerging powers in shaping the future of trade
• The effects of digitalization and technological innovation on trade patterns
• The potential impact of geopolitical risks and uncertainties on trade financing and investment
• The implications of new trade policies and trade agreements for global trade
• The role of international institutions and organization in promoting or hindering trade liberalization

Invited speakers

Keynote addresses: Professor Meredith Crowley, University of Cambridge, and Anabel González, World Trade Organization.

Panel discussion on: “How far can value chain reconfiguration go in an uncertain world?” and Angelique van der Burg, Infineon Technologies, Jeongmin Seong, McKinsey, among confirmed panel members.

Authors are invited to submit theoretical and empirical papers on the above-mentioned topics. Submissions must consist of either a full paper (preferred) or an extended abstract and should be sent in a PDF to bocecb-conference-2023@ecb.europa.eu. The submission deadline is 15 June 2023. Authors of accepted papers will be notified by 10 July 2023.

Expenses

The organisers will cover reasonable travel expenses for paper presenters. Participants from central banks and other official institutions are expected to cover their own expenses.

Organisers

• Maria Grazia Attinasi, European Central Bank
• Alistair Dieppe, European Central Bank
• Justin-Damien Guénette, Bank of Canada
• Subrata Sarker, Bank of Canada