The Effect of Exchange Rates on Chinese Trade: A Dual Margin Approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT Previous studies investigating the effect of exchange rate changes on a country’s exports have found little evidence that exchange rates matter. This “Exchange Rate Disconnect Puzzle” may stem from the fact that studies have mostly focused on aggregate data. Using HS-6 digit product-level data for Chinese exports, we analyze the effect of real exchange rate (RER) as well as the volatility of RER of the Chinese RMB. By decomposing China’s exports into its “extensive” and “intensive margins,” we find that RER volatility significantly impacts Chinese exports via both the margins. RER volatility increases the uncertainty and deters new firms from entering the market. As less firms operate, the export share of the existing firms increase. The overall effect of this volatility is slightly positive. We find that these effects are dominant for the minor trading partners of China compared to its major trading partners. We find weak evidence that RER depreciation affects China’s exports via the extensive margin.