Martin Wolf talks to Richard Baldwin: What’s the future of global trade?
Feb 24, 2025
auto_awesome
In this engaging discussion, Richard Baldwin, a Professor of International Economics at IMD Business School and founder of VoxEU, shares insights with Martin Wolf, chief economics commentator at the Financial Times. They dive into the ineffectiveness of Trump's tariffs in today’s global trade context. Baldwin emphasizes the rise of digital services and invisible trade, challenging the notion of globalization's decline. They also unpack the implications of automation and AI, rethinking labor dynamics and the shift from manufacturing to service-oriented economies.
Donald Trump's tariffs exemplify a misguided approach to modern trade dynamics, failing to account for the complexities of global supply chains.
The rapid growth of digital services is reshaping globalization, highlighting a transition from traditional manufacturing to skilled service professions in the economy.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Globalization
Globalization has experienced significant changes over the past few decades, characterized by different phases shaped by technological advancements and economic strategies. The concept of a 'false peak' post-2008 suggests that while globalization seemingly slowed, it merely transitioned due to China's evolving role in the global economy and a shift away from traditional trade patterns. The first phase involved the rapid increase of two-way trade with a focus on manufacturing, particularly influenced by offshoring and the emergence of global supply chains. As manufacturing has settled into a plateau, marked by China's slower growth in export ratios, the nature of globalization is on the cusp of further transformation.
Tariffs and Their Modern Implications
The implementation of tariffs, especially during Donald Trump's presidency, reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of modern global supply chains and trade dynamics. By applying tariffs on Chinese imports, the intended effect of boosting domestic manufacturing contradicted the complex interconnectedness of production processes, which often rely on components sourced globally. As a result, tariffs inadvertently raised production costs for American companies without significantly impacting their international competitors in countries not subject to similar tariffs. The approach emphasized the need for a comprehensive industrial policy to address the realities of contemporary trade rather than regressive measures like tariffs.
Emerging Trends in Service Trade
The trade landscape is witnessing a remarkable shift towards services, particularly digital services, which are growing more rapidly than goods trade. As technology continues to automate manufacturing processes, the dependency on low-wage labor in developing countries lessens, transforming where and how services are sourced. In contrast, differences in wages for skilled service workers across various countries position services as a new frontier for globalization, with the ability to leverage technology enabling professionals to operate remotely and collaborate globally. This trend highlights the importance of adapting to a world where service trade gains prominence, shifting the focus from traditional manufacturing jobs to skilled professions.
The Future of Work and Trade Dynamics
The potential for significant upheaval lies ahead as the global labor market adapts to advancements in automation and artificial intelligence, particularly in the service sector. As automation increases in manufacturing, services may soon follow suit, altering job dynamics for skilled workers significantly. Contrarily, advancements in technology may increase the competitiveness of foreign workers, making them viable substitutes for high-wage workers in developed nations. Consequently, the intersection of globalization, technology, and job displacement will likely shape future economic and political landscapes, requiring adaptation by both workers and policymakers.
Donald Trump’s tariffs are a twentieth century tool that simply won’t work in the 21st century global trading system. That’s the view of today’s guest, Richard Baldwin, professor of international economics at the IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland. Speaking to the FT’s Martin Wolf, Baldwin explains how the shift towards global manufacturing supply chains since the 1990s, and the more recent explosion in digital services exports, mean that the impact of across-the-board import taxes such as the ones proposed by the new US administration will be counterproductive and much more limited than in the past. Nonetheless, should we still worry about the harm that Trump’s policies may be doing to the global trading system, and how should other countries respond?
Martin Wolf is chief economics commentator at the Financial Times. You can find his column here