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Discussion Paper Details

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Title: Robots, Tasks, and Trade

Author(s): Erhan Artuc, Paulo Bastos and Bob Rijkers

Publication Date: March 2020

Keyword(s): automation, Gains from trade, global value chains, intermediate inputs, jobs, robots, Tasks, Trade and wages

Programme Area(s): International Trade and Regional Economics

Abstract: This paper examines the effects of robotization on trade patterns, wages and welfare. It develops a Ricardian model with two-stage production and trade in intermediate and final goods in which robots can take over some tasks previously performed by humans in a subset of industries. An increase in robot adoption in the North reduces the cost of production and thereby impacts trade in final and intermediate goods with the South. The empirical analysis uses ordinary least squares and instrumental-variable regressions exploiting variation in exposure to robots across countries and sectors. Both reveal that greater robot intensity in own production leads to: (i) a rise in imports sourced from less developed countries in the same industry; and (ii) an even stronger increase in exports to those countries. Counterfactual simulations indicate that Northern robotization raises domestic welfare, but initially depresses wages. However, this adverse effect is likely to be reversed by further reductions in robot prices. Northern robotization may lead to higher wages and welfare in the South.

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Bibliographic Reference

Artuc, E, Bastos, P and Rijkers, B. 2020. 'Robots, Tasks, and Trade'. London, Centre for Economic Policy Research. https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=14487