2020 Short Course in Dynamic Global Trade Analysis

The objective of this course is to introduce participants to dynamic economic analysis in an applied general equilibrium setting. This course is designed to provide participants with ample hands-on training with software that has been tailored for undertaking analysis using a dynamic recursive model. Participants will interact with economists working on global trade and environmental issues using a dynamic model. The end goal of the course is for participants to leave with the capability of conducting and analyzing their own dynamic simulations.

Features of the newly developed multi-region, multi-sector general equilibrium model include:

• Recursive dynamics based on the GTAP Model (v7), including parameters by region and the flexibility of a make matrix that allows activities to produce one or more commodities
• “Twist” preference parameters to capture domestic-imported bundle shifts and capital-labor changes over time

Course participants will learn to aggregate their economic database and develop a business as usual scenario using information from the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways, which has been annualized for ease of use.

Structure

The course consist of a mix of daily lectures, lab assignments, and informal discussions designed to introduce participants to the basic features of the model and database. Participants will undertake formal lecture and lab assignments in the mornings and spend the afternoons working in groups to build their own economic applications, which includes working with data to develop a baseline and policy experiments. The groups will present the results of their applications on the final day.