Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/154114 
Year of Publication: 
2014
Series/Report no.: 
ECB Working Paper No. 1681
Publisher: 
European Central Bank (ECB), Frankfurt a. M.
Abstract: 
The objective of this paper is to explore the consequences of the correction of Euro area trade imbalances on real exchange rates. This analysis requires one additional dimension with respect to the standard Global Imbalances framework à la Obstfeld and Rogoff (2005), since the adjustment takes place within and outside the Euro area. Both types of adjustments are analysed in a three-country general equilibrium model with a tradable and a non-tradable sectors, and heterogeneous firms built upon Pappadà (2011). ECB (CompNet) data are used to measure the differences infirm size and productivity dispersion across Euro area countries. With respect to the surplus country (Germany), countries running a trade deficit (Spain, Italy) are characterised by a productivity distribution with a lower mean and a less fat right tail. This increases the relative price movement associated with the external adjustment because of the limited role played by the extensive margin. We show that the real exchange rate movements are underestimated when the cross-country differences in terms of productivity distributions are neglected.
Subjects: 
firm heterogeneity
trade imbalances
transfer problem
JEL: 
F32
F41
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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