2) Copy of my cv in English: [pdf-file], in Dutch [pdf-file] and Bio-sketch: [pdf-file]

J. Konings and H. Vandenbussche (2009),"Antidumping Protection hurts Exporters. Firm-level Evidence from France", CEPR discussion paper n° 5678, London [pdf-file]

Abstract

This paper empirically evaluates the effects of antidumping measures on the exports of protected firms. While antidumping protection raises the domestic sales of the more “traditional” non-exporting firms on the protected market with about 5%, it negatively affects the firm-level exports of similar products as the protected ones. Export sales of protected firms fall by almost 8% compared to a relevant control group of unprotected firms. The drop in firm-level exports more than doubles for firms that are global, i.e. firms with foreign affiliates. Measured at the product-level, extra-EU exports of goods protected by antidumping fall by 36% while exports to target countries fall by as much as 66% following protection. Protection also affects the extensive margin of exporters but to a lesser extent. Initial exporters face a marginally higher probability to stop exporting during protection compared to unprotected firms. Finally, we find that the productivity of exporters falls while that of non-exporters rises during antidumping protection. We offer a number of plausible explanations for our findings arising from the heterogeneous firm literature. We also discuss the importance of our findings for policy.

 

H. Vandenbussche and M. Zanardi (2008),"The Global Chilling Effects of Antidumping Proliferation", CEPR discussion paper n° 5597, London. [pdf-file].

Abstract
Advocates of antidumping (AD) laws downplay their negative effects by arguing that the trade flows that are subject to AD are small and thus their distortions negligible. But while the adverse effect of AD on product level trade has long been established, the question remains whether there are trade effects at the aggregate level. The recent proliferation wave of AD laws provides us with a unique policy change to estimate the true trade effects of adopting and enforcing AD laws. For this purpose, we estimate the effect of AD on bilateral trade flows between the “new adopters” of AD laws and their trade partners. Using a gravity model of annual observations (1980-2000) our estimates show that AD has trade depressing effects on aggregate import volumes. We find that new tough users have their aggregate imports depressed by 15 billion US$ a year (or 6.6%) as a result of AD measures. For some developing countries like India and Taiwan, the dampening effects of AD laws on trade flows are found to substantially offset the gains from trade liberalization.

G. Mion, H. Vandenbussche and L. Zhu (2009),"Trade with China and Skill Upgrading in Manufacturing. Firm-level evidence", LICOS discussion paper n° 248, London. [pdf].

       We use Belgian Firm level data over the period 1996-2007 to analyze the impact of imports from China and other low wage countries on firm growth, exit and skill upgrading. Using firm-level imports we find Chinese imports to be more important than imports from other low wage countries. Import competition from China alone explains around 30% of total skull upgrading in Belgian manufacturing during this period. Our results also show that outsourcing to China increases relative employment of non-production workers and is beneficial to firm survival in Belgium.

 

S. Poncet, W. Steingress and H. Vandenbussche (2008), "Financial Constraints in China: firm-level Evidence", CEPR DP 5393, [pdf]

Abstract
This paper uses a unique micro-level data-set on Chinese firms to test for the existence of a "political-pecking order" in the allocation of credit. Our findings our threefold. Firstly, private Chinese firms are credit constrained while State-owned firms and foreign-owned firms in China are not; Secondly, the geographical and sectoral presence of foreign capital alleviates credit constraints faced by private Chinese firms. Thirdly, geographical and sectoral presence of state firms aggravates financial constraints for private Chinese firms. Therefore it seems that ongoing restructuring of the state-owned sector and further liberalization of foreign capital inflows in China can help to circumvent financial constraints and can boost the investment of private firms.

 

I. Van Beveren and H. Vandenbussche (2009),"Product and Process Innovation and the decision to Export", LICOS discussion paper 247, KUleuven [pdf-file]

We analyze the relationship between firm-level innovation and firms' propensity to start exporting for firms in a small open economy. We measure innovation by innovative effort (R&D) as well as by innovative output (product and process innovation). After carefully correcting for endogeneity and selection issues, the evidence points to firms self-selecting into innovation in anticipation of their entry into export market, rather than product and process innovation triggering entry into the export market. These results suggest that governments can foster firm-level innovation through trade liberalization.

 

K. Miyagiwa, H. Song and H. Vandenbussche (2009),"Innovation, Protection and Retaliation", [pdf-file].

Abstract
This paper develops a model where firms engage in process-improving R&D and countries differ in their enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR). We aim to study firm-level innovation under unilateral and bilateral trade protection allowing for country heterogeneity in IPR enforcement. We offer a general theory on the link between trade policy and innovation. Our results are consistent with historical and other stylized facts and offer an explanation for the broad pattern of trade protection empirically observed.

 

J. Hartigan and H. Vandenbussche (2009),"The Proliferation of Trade Protection Laws: a theoretical explanation", [pdf-file]

Abstract
This paper develops a model that offers a plausible interpretation for the empirical observation of diffusion of antidumping (AD) laws amongst WTO members. Contrary to the regnant belief that this proliferation is driven mainly by retaliatory motives, our model shows that adoption and use of AD laws involve a cooperative act amongst WTO member in an infinite horizon model. The diffusion of AD laws need not result in a Prisoner's dilemma. Instead we show that the AD agreement of the WTO can serve as a risk-sharing vehicle amongst WTO members in response to adverse shocks incurred by domestic producers.