THE TRADE INTEGRATION of CHINA in LATIN AMERICA

Abstract

This paper studies China's bilateral trade with Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica and Peru from the perspective of intra-industrial trade during 1995-2017. In particular, the differences in the pattern of intra-industrial insertion are analyzed in a context characterized by the existence (Chile, Costa Rica and Peru) or not (Mexico) of free trade agreements with China. An econometric analysis (fixed effects) of the determinants of intra-industrial trade completes the study. The results show a low intra-industrial profile, except for some specific items related to electrical products and the automotive industry. The positive effect of the size of the economy, foreign direct investment and product differentiation is also confirmed, as well as the negative effect of the difference in income level. However, there is an undefined role for free trade agreements with China.