Abstract
Product bilateral trade features can be organized and expressed in the Cartesian coordinate system by taking imports and exports as X and Y, which is similar to spatial visualization. Hence, geospatial expression and analysis methodologies can be applied in bilateral trade studies. In this paper, we propose a new digital trade feature map (DTFM) method for the visualization of bilateral trade features from a spatial perspective. The implementation process of DTFM can be summarized as feature extraction, visualization, and analysis. China–US bilateral trade data were used in several case studies. As the case studies show, the DTFM has the advantages of clear expression, easy operationalization and is highly extensible. Moreover, this method can provide a broader perspective for the understanding of trade features, i.e., in comprehensively considering the features of a specific product type and its neighbors. Furthermore, we propose an extensible DTFM application framework into which different trade features, different grid generation modes, and numerous spatial analysis models can be readily integrated.
Highlights
In the present era of globalization, trade is considered an important catalyst for the growth and development of many nations
[1] used the revealed comparative advantage index (RCAI) [2] to analyze comparative advantage products and their interactions with production structure and product diversification between the European Union (EU-27) and the European Neighborhood Policy countries. [3] used an export dependency index to measure the relative exposure of sectors and countries in Latin America to fluctuations of Chinese demand
The concentration index and Grubel–Lloyd index have been used to analyze the influence of free trade agreements on the diversification of exports from Latin America [4] and the dynamics of intra-industry trade flows in MENA (Middle Eastern and Northern Africa) countries [5], respectively
Summary
In the present era of globalization, trade is considered an important catalyst for the growth and development of many nations. The analysis and visualization of the trade features of numerous different product types at small scales is a challenge for many studies. The technical complexity index, trade complementarity index, and export similarity index have been comprehensively applied in the comparison of industrial competitive advantages/disadvantages and the analysis of trade structure and its changing trends, as well as to evaluate the national position in the international industrial value chain among multiple economies. Most of these index-based approaches are appropriate only for a comparison of products or industries of the same type among multiple countries. Intra-product trade information will be smoothened if we classify thousands of traded products into several industries or broad categories
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
