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International Economic Relations

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Increased international trade, and the lowering of barriers to such trade, frequently results in improved international relations, but it can also lead to trade wars and tariff disputes. RAND research explores bilateral and multilateral economic relations; describes how they affect global alliances, globalization, and the economic health of nations; and recommends methods to develop, encourage, and maintain these relations among diverse nations and cultures.

Commentary
A Civilian U.S. 'Joint Chiefs' for Economic Competition with China?
China's aggressive activities are presenting a serious, sustained challenge to the international order. To position itself for this new era, the United States could create a civilian equivalent to the Joint Chiefs of Staff with a mandate to manage the expanding role of U.S. civilian departments in geopolitical and economic competition.
Apr 24, 2023
Commentary
Consequences of the War in Ukraine: The Economic Fallout
Before Russia invaded Ukraine, projections estimated global economic growth in 2022 would be around 5 percent. But the war in Ukraine contributed to slowed economic growth in 2022 and a slowed recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the broader consequences for the global economy?
Mar 7, 2023

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Commentary
China Does Not Have to Be America's Enemy in the Middle East
China and Iran made a deal in which China promised to boost its investment in Iranian infrastructure in exchange for a steady supply of oil. This uptick in Chinese influence does not necessarily erode U.S. power in the region. The United States may even find overlapping interests with China since both have a stake in containing conflicts and instability.
Apr 19, 2021
Commentary
Abraham Accords Offer Historic Opportunity to Spur Mideast Growth
The Abraham Accords have heralded a dramatic shift in the relationship between Israel and the Muslim nations of the world. While these accords represent a major political breakthrough, they also represent a possible new chapter in the region's development: away from conflict and toward a shared economic vision of prosperity.
Mar 25, 2021
Journal Article
Improving Preferential Market Access Through Rules of Origin: Firm-Level Evidence from Bangladesh
This paper studies how rules of origin in potential export markets influence the export behavior of firms in least-developed countries.
Mar 23, 2021
Journal Article
Rules of Origin and Trade Preference Utilization Among Least Developed Countries
This article assesses how the utilization of trade agreements responds to rules of origin revisions that allow for more foreign content in exported products.
Mar 23, 2021
Report
The Abraham Accords Could Have Wide-Reaching Economic Benefits
The Abraham Accords between Israel and Muslim nations represent a possible new chapter in the region's development—away from conflict and toward a shared vision of economic prosperity. Israel's partners could gain 150,000 new jobs. And that could grow to 4 million new jobs over a decade if other nations join.
Mar 18, 2021
Commentary
Book Review: 'Liberalism, the Blob, and American Foreign Policy: Evidence and Methodology' by Robert Jervis
Robert Jervis' “Liberalism, the Blob, and American Foreign Policy: Evidence and Methodology” is a thoughtful review of two books written by prominent international relations theorists John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt. Jervis focuses his critique primarily on methodology and argues that the actual historical record is more complicated than either Mearsheimer or Walt suggests.
Mar 12, 2021
Testimony
Factors Shaping China's Use of Force Calculations Against Taiwan
Taiwan remains the People's Liberation Army's main strategic direction despite a growing recognition that the PLA must also support China's international interests and presence. Does China see itself as capable of confronting the United States and its allies in a conflict over Taiwan? And what are some U.S. policy considerations?
Feb 18, 2021
Testimony
U.S. Allied and Partner Support for Taiwan
As the Biden administration assesses its Taiwan policy, it is important to examine how U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific might respond to a potential conflict over Taiwan. What factors might influence their willingness to help the United States defend Taiwan? And how might they respond if the United States did not come to Taiwan's defense?
Feb 18, 2021
Blog
Political Violence, COVID-19 Vaccine Questions, Mental Health Care: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on why we need to brace for more political violence after the Capitol attack, COVID-19 vaccine questions and answers, how to reform the U.S. mental health system, and more.
Jan 15, 2021
Commentary
Lessons for Central America's Recovery from Hurricanes
As the global community works to assist Central America in recovering from the disastrous 2020 hurricane season, other recent recovery efforts offer helpful lessons, both for the governments of the region as well as outsiders providing resources and support.
Jan 11, 2021
Commentary
Why We 'Send Them Money'
Why does the United States send foreign countries American taxpayer money? The answer, in short, is because it serves U.S. self-interest to do so. Aid is not some act of charity at the American taxpayers' expense; it can help keep Americans safer, more prosperous, and secure.
Dec 30, 2020
Commentary
China Isn't Backing Down in South Asia
Much to India's frustration, China's influence is on the rise across South Asia. India will probably have to work overtime, and in concert with like-minded partners such as Australia, Japan, and the United States to complicate and rein in China's successes in the region.
Dec 30, 2020
Commentary
RCEP Forms the World's Largest Trading Bloc. What Does This Mean for Global Trade?
In November, 15 nations signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free-trade agreement of economic and political significance eight years in the making. Why have some heralded RCEP as a landmark agreement?
Dec 9, 2020
Report
The Geopolitics of South Korea–China Relations
As Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific increases, U.S. allies and partners are adapting their strategic posture. But even as a key U.S. ally, South Korea seems different. How is Beijing’s growing influence in regional affairs affecting relations between South Korea and China? And what effect do they have on U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific?
Nov 18, 2020
Commentary
A Free Trade Agreement Still Comes with Costs
Major issues must be resolved before any UK-EU agreement on post-Brexit trade and economic relations is completed. There will be substantial costs associated with even a zero-tariff trade deal.
Oct 23, 2020
Report
How American Influence Has Declined, and What Can Be Done About It
The United States has been declining in foreign policy achievements for two decades. Skeptics need to be persuaded that working for a more peaceful and prosperous world is in America's national and their personal interest. And sustained public support for international engagement requires cooperation across party lines.
Sep 8, 2020
Q&A
The Future of Warfare: Q&A with Raphael Cohen
What will the next decade of warfare look like? Raphael Cohen led a project to answer that question for the U.S. Air Force. The team considered not just technological or force changes, but also how global politics, economics, and the environment will shift and evolve between now and 2030.
Sep 8, 2020
Blog
The Evidence on Kids and COVID-19, China's Use of Big Data, Telemedicine: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on what we know (and what we don't) about kids and COVID-19, how China is using big data, the future of telemedicine, and more.
Sep 4, 2020
Commentary
Addressing Lebanon's Ailments, Acute and Chronic
The recent explosion in Beirut has again led to calls for political and economic reforms in Lebanon. The country has an economy in crisis, corruption, few job opportunities, and an influx of 1.5 million Syrian refugees. Sustained global investment is needed if Lebanon is to recover over the long run.
Sep 1, 2020
Report
How Does North Korean Leadership Make Decisions?
With talks between the United States and North Korea at a standstill, U.S. policymakers must consider what the regime might do next and know what signs or decisions to look for. Will Kim open the DPRK economy? What if conventional deterrence fails on the Korean Peninsula? And what could lead to the use of nuclear weapons?
Aug 20, 2020

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RAND Topic:
International Economic Relations

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Mark Stalczynski

Analyst

Mark Stalczynski is a policy analyst at the RAND Corporation. Stalczynski's areas of interest include Russia (its budget, economy, and domestic issues); public finance and government spending; and energy and environmental policy. Stalczynski often undertakes budget and cost analysis to…
Mehdi Shiva

Research Leader

Mehdi Shiva is a research leader at the RAND Corporation. He works primarily for RAND Europe in the Health and Wellbeing Research Group. Prior to joining RAND, Shiva led the economics research and policy agenda at Government Outcomes Lab, a research program within the Blavatnik School of…

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