Academic Conference 2025 - Programme

Session 1

11.15 - 12.45

1a Digital trade and intellectual property rights

Global trends in digital trade policies and practices: evidence from the Digital Trade Integration Database
Martina Ferrracane (European University Institute), Simón González Ugarte (European University Institute),Tomás Rogaler Wilson (European University Institute)

IP litigation spillovers
Richard Kneller (University of Nottingham), Joseph Mai, Min Zhu (University of Nottingham)

Digital import and digital investments in the UK firms. Effects on employment and skills
Maria Savona (LUISS and University of Sussex), Dongzhe Zhang (University of Sussex)

1b Trade and developing countries

The impact of GSP graduations on Indian exporters
Mattia Di Ubaldo (University of Sussex)

Foreign profit shifting and the welfare responses to the US–China Trade War: evidence from manufacturers in Vietnam Sung-Ju Wu (University of Nottingham)

Environmental costs of market access: firm-level evidence from Pakistan
Nida Jamil (University of Edinburgh)
The abolition of the Multifibre Agreement in 2005 and China's free trade agreement with Pakistan in 2006 transformed Pakistan's textile industry. Ending the MFA opened U.S. markets while exposing Pakistani firms to Chinese competition. The FTA provided new opportunities, especially in lower value-added goods. This policy shift led to complex outcomes: Pakistani firms upgraded product quality and expanded exports, resulting in higher total emissions but unchanged emission intensity. China strategically established supply chain access, capturing high-value markets while providing raw material opportunities to Pakistan, demonstrating how trade liberalization can create unexpected economic and environmental consequences.

1c Free trade agreements

Indigenous-specific provisions in trade agreements
Ben Morgan (OECD), Jane Korinek (OECD)
This paper analyses existing provisions in regional trade agreements concerning Indigenous Peoples’ rights and interests and proposes pathways for enhancing current trade frameworks to further address Indigenous Peoples’ concerns. Two key takeaways emerge from the analysis: first, engagement with Indigenous Peoples is critical to ensure trade can effectively advance Indigenous rights, interests, and economic development, while also contributing to a more diverse and inclusive trade environment; and second, collecting data on Indigenous engagement in trade, as well as the impact of trade agreements on Indigenous communities, can help in monitoring the efficacy of provisions.

'Neoliberal’ comprehensive and progressive trans-pacific partnership (CPTPP) in the age of economic security: survival or reshaped?
Minako Morita Jaeger (University of Sussex), Prof Christopher Dent (Edge Hill University)
This paper is an international political economy study which analyses how the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which represents neoliberal norms, will be shaped in an age of economic security. We first establish an analytical framework of economic security and overview economic security in the 2020s. Then we analyse how a combination of both external (the US, the EU and China) and internal (Japan, the UK and Australia) economic security drivers are evolving in the 2020s and will reshape the CPTPP. We found that economic security imperatives driven by turbulent geopolitics will enhance CPTPP’s function as an alliance for resilience.

Modelling impacts of free trade agreements on the Scottish economy
Julija Harrasova (Scottish Government), Finlay Noble Chamings (Scottish Government)
This paper aims to a fill a longstanding evidence gap by providing Scotland-specific estimates of the economic impacts of UK Trade Policy. We explore the modelled impact of several free trade agreements on the Scottish economy, including the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The paper also considers differential impacts of trade policy changes. A small team in the Office of the Chief Economic Adviser at the Scottish Government developed new in-house modelling capacity and data to provide Scotland-specific insights.

Session 2

14.00 - 15.30

2a Trade barriers and trade policy responses

Deep integration and trade: UK firms in the wake of Brexit
Thomas Sampson (London School of Economics), Rebecca Freeman, Marco Garofalo, Enrico Longoni, Rebecca Mari (Bank of England), Kalina Manova (University College London), Thomas Prayer (London School of Economics)
How does deep integration affect international trade? This paper uses customs data to study the impact of Brexit on UK firms. The UK's exit from the EU's single market and customs union led to an immediate, sharp drop in goods trade with the EU for the average firm. However, the fall in exports was concentrated among smaller firms. And importers partly compensated for reduced EU imports by sourcing more from the rest of the world. The results imply that, in the short run, leaving the EU reduced worldwide UK exports by 6.4% and worldwide imports by 3.1%.

Tariff cuts, uncertainty reduction, and the force of many: the impact of plurilateral agreements
Irene Iodice (Bielefeld University), Lasha Cochua (Tbilisi State University)
This paper explores the broader benefits of international trade agreements, extending beyond tariff reduction. We analyze the Information Technology Agreement—a trade pact among numerous countries—and its impact on expanding market access. Our research shows that while lowering tariffs and reducing trade uncertainty both help, more widespread participation in such agreements substantially amplifies the advantages. This “network effect” illustrates the importance of inclusive, non-discriminatory international cooperation for fully realizing the potential of trade liberalization in driving economic growth and development.

Dynamics of the trade elasticity: an investigation of the 2018 US special tariffs
Nicoló Tamberi (University of Sussex)

2b Trade and investment law in an era of protectionism

FDI screening
Agata Dasko (University of Edinburgh) 
The paper examines whether foreign direct investment (FDI) screening mechanisms can be reconciled with inclusive trade policy. Using the UK’s National Security and Investment Act 2021 and the judicial review in L1T FM Holdings as a case study, it explores how national security concerns are balanced against economic openness and international legal obligations (broadly understood). The paper questions the transparency and accountability of screening practices, particularly in light of investor protections under international law. It argues that the relationship between investment screening and inclusivity depends on how key concepts are defined, who exercises oversight, and whose interests are prioritised.

After the fall: the world trade organisation and the fragility of international adjudication
Henry Lovat (Glasgow University)
This paper uses a combined International Law/International Relations lens to assess post-2019 efforts to reform WTO dispute settlement. The analysis suggests that rejudicializing dispute settlement "after the fall" of the Appellate Body - which remains the notional aim of the bulk of the WTO membership - is a forbiddingly challenging prospect given intertwined political and legal constraints. These challenges do not stem solely from US obduracy, moreover, but also reflect wider developments in international politics and governance. In broader perspective, the analysis underlines the fragility of international judicial institutions and in turn highlights associated risks to the 'rules-based international order'.

From trade to tariffs: unpacking the many forms of unilateralism from a development perspective
Aishwarya  Narayanan (The Graduate Institute)
In an era marked by increasing protectionism and the rise of unilateral economic measures, the heyday of globalisation marked by free trade and open borders is long behind us. Unilateral trade restrictions come in many forms – while tariffs have become the buzzword of late, sustainability legislations that adversely impact trade have steadily gained prominence. Developing countries are typically the worst impacted by such measures, necessitating the need for exploring new and improved collaboration mechanisms to promote economic resilience. This paper discusses the steps that developing countries can take to minimise the adverse impacts of such restrictive trade measures.

2c Trade and firm dynamics

Artificial intelligence, trade, and firm dynamics
Pinar Gunes (University of Sussex)

International sourcing, domestic labour costs, and producer prices
Sotiris Blanas (University of Warwick)
Using a representative sample of firms in Belgian manufacturing over 2001Q1–2017Q4, we study the effects of their international sourcing activities and domestic wages on their domestic output prices, as well as the effects of international sourcing on (relative) domestic wages. We provide evidence that is consistent with the cost-saving aspect of international sourcing, but also its input quality-enhancing aspect. Furthermore, we provide evidence pointing to the joint utilisation of higher-quality imported inputs with higher-quality domestic labour for the production of higher-quality outputs that are sold in the domestic market at higher prices.

Market concentration and the welfare gains from trade
Alejandro Graziano (University of Nottingham)

Session 3

16.00 - 17.30

Roundtable: The turbulent UK internal market - territorial politics and economics collide amid legal uncertainties

Chairs: Nicola McEwen (Glasgow University), Chris McCorkindale (University of Strathclyde)

Panelists: Daniel Wincott (Cardiff University), Ludivine Petetin (Cardiff University), Billy Melo Araujo (Queens University Belfast), Coree Brown Swan (University of Stirling), Nicola McEwen (Glasgow University), Chris McCorkindale (University of Strathclyde)

Session 4

9.00 - 10.30

4a Firm-level responses to trade barriers

Moving Online under De Minimis? The Trade War and Cross-Border E-Commerce
Zhihong Yu (Nottingham), Te Du (Zhejiang University), Chao Fang (Zhejiang Gongshang University),  Shuzhong Ma (Zhejiang University), Lixin Tang (Jinan University)

International financial openness and manufacturing productivity: A services trade perspective on Bilateral Trade
Bernard Hoekman (EUI, CEPR), Dennis Quinn (Georgetown), Matteo Fiorini (OECD)

Whom do we trust to take trade policy decisions? Evidence from Citizen Juries in the UK
Maria Savona (University of Sussex, Luis University), Maria Livingston-Ortolani (University of Sussex), L. Alan Winters (University of Sussex)

4b Topics

Global value chain upgrading and resilience in a resource-rich economy: the case of Kazakhstan
David De Remer (Nazarbayev University), Venkat Subramanian (Nazarbayev University), Aigerim Yergabulova (Nazarbayev University)

Global value chain upgrading and resilience in a resource-rich economy: the case of Kazakhstan
David De Remer (Nazarbayev University), Venkat Subramanian (Nazarbayev University), Aigerim Yergabulova (Nazarbayev University)
We explore how resource-rich states can foster resilience through industrial policies that enhance the resilience of their firms and global value chains (GVCs). We evaluate Kazakhstan’s policies before and after the Russia-Ukraine war and the COVID-19 pandemic for two cases: uranium, a resource GVC involving state sovereign wealth fund ownership; and medicines, an industrial GVC relying on public procurement. Our analysis supports that indirect state ownership generates greater firm and GVC resilience than direct state ownership. Furthermore, policy focused on state resilience should incorporate the resilience of key producers in resource sectors and regional value chains in industrial sectors.

The matching and sorting of traders and agents
Yangiun Han (Birmingham), Wanyu Chung (University of Birmingham and CEPR), Robert J.R. Elliott (University of Birmingham)

Services Trade Opening and Manufacturing Environmental Performance
Matteo Fiorini (OECD), Cosimo Beverelli (EUI), Enxhi Tresa (OECD)

Session 5

10.50 - 12.20

5a Rethinking trade governance: The role of subnational entities

UK Trade Policy Vacuum: The Rise of Devolved Trade Policies following Brexit
Lindsey Garner-Knapp (Cardiff), Prof Dan Wincott (Cardiff)

Developing a New Approach to Policy Coherence: Post-Brexit UK Trade as a Key Case Study
Alexander Fitzpatrick (Cardiff)

More Overlaps Than Impacts: Mapping the Intersection of UK Trade Agreements and Devolved Competence
Lisa-Claire Whitten (QUB), Billy Melo-Arauja (QUB)

The Neglected Actors of World Trade: Envisioning a Future for the World Trade Organization with Greater Subnational Involvement
Daniela Janikova (QUB)

5b Inclusive Trade Policies

Women and exporting: What do we know, what do we do, and how do we do it?
Norin Arshed (Strathclyde), Dr Carolina Marín-Cadavid (University of Strathclyde), Dr Stephen Knox (University of Stirling)

Integrating Animal Welfare into SPS Commitments: A Smart Move for the UK and the EU?
Carolina Tosci Maciel (Sussex)
Animal welfare is increasingly recognised as a key consideration in international trade negotiations, yet its integration into trade agreements remains a sensitive and evolving issue. The UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is among the few agreements to incorporate animal welfare, doing so within its sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) chapter. With the TCA set for review in 2026 and both parties updating their agri-food policies and trade strategies, this article examines whether the current approach effectively supports progressive animal welfare protection or if alternative models should be considered to better align with the UK’s and the EU’s broader ambitions in this area.

Do FTA Environmental Provisions Drive Domestic Law Changes?
Adriana Brenis (Sussex), Mattia Di Ubaldo (Sussex)