New Trade Theory (explained)
By: Shadhin Kangal
Tags: Trade, Communication, Management And Leadership, Economics, Business

New trade theory (NTT) suggests that a critical factor in determining international patterns of trade are the very substantial economies of scale and network affects that can occur in key industries.

These economies of scale, and network effects, can be so significant that they outweigh the more traditional theory of comparative advantage.

In some industries, two countries may have no discernible differences in opportunity cost at a particular point in time.

But, if one country specializes in a particular industry then it may gain economies of scale and other network benefits from its specialization.

Another element of new trade theory is that firms who have the advantage of being an early entrant can become a dominant firm in the market. This is because the first firms gain substantial economies of scale meaning that new firms can’t compete against the incumbent firms.

This means that in these global industries with very large economies of scale, there is likely to be limited competition, with the market dominated by early firms who entered, leading to a form of monopolistic competition.

This means that the most lucrative industries are often dominated in capital intensive countries, who were the first to develop these industries. Therefore, being the first firm to reach industrial maturity gives a very strong competitive advantage (Some may say unfair advantage).

New trade theory also becomes a factor in explaining the growth of globalization.

It means that poorer, developing economies may struggle to ever develop certain industries because they lag too fax behind the economies of scale enjoyed in the developed world.

This is not due to any intrinsic comparative advantage, but more the economies of scale the developed firms already have.

Paul Krugman was a leading academic in developing New Trade Theory. He was awarded a Nobel Prize (2008) in economics for his contributions in modeling these ideas.

“For his analysis of trade patterns and location of economic activity.”

New Trade Theory and Government regulation

New trade theory suggests that governments might have a role to play in promoting new industries and supporting the growth of key industries.

Some point to the Japanese car industry in the 1950s, which received substantial government support. Other S.E. Asian economies also had some government protection and support.

A developing economy may need tariff protection and domestic subsidy to encourage the creation of capital intensive industries.

If the industry gets support for a few years, it will be able to exploit economies of scale and then be competitive without government support. This is similar to earlier arguments surrounding infant industries.

Problems of government intervention

This idea of government supporting new industries is controversial. Many economists say that it is likely to create other problems such as the government is likely to have poor information about which industry to support and how to go about it.

It creates a tendency for powerful vested business interests which rely on state support. This state support may encourage inefficiency in the long-term.

Conclusion

New trade theory is not primarily about advocating government intervention in industry; it is more a recognition that economies of scale are a key factor iii influencing the development of trade.

It also suggests that free trade and laissez faire government intervention may be much less desirable for developing economies who find themselves unable to compete with established multinationals.