International Trade Growth Research Articles

Time Series Analysis of the Connection between Exchange Rate of EUR/USD, Bond Yields, and Trade Growth

In the context of the growing importance of global trade, the US dollar plays a crucial role as the currency for international transactions. The exchange rate of the dollar and the monetary policies of other countries influence each other. This study delves into the connection among the exchange rate of Euro/United States dollar (EUR/USD), the 10-year government bond rates with the international trade growth rates of 20 European countries from January 1991 to December 2016. By employing descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression modeling, and time series analysis, this research aims to uncover the underlying dependencies and predictive insights among these financial variables. The results indicate that the EUR/USD exchange rate has an insignificant impact on bond yields (R = 0.003), suggesting that other factors such as monetary policy, inflation expectations, and market liquidity play more significant roles. However, a weaker currency is linked to lower growth rates is shown by a strong negative correlation for the exchange rate and trade growth rates (R = 0.210). The multivariate regression model shows that bond yields and trade growth rates together explain 44.5% of the exchange rate variations, highlighting the interconnections among these economic variables. These findings highlight the necessity for policymakers to take these interconnected factors into account when developing economic and monetary policies to ensure stable and sustainable economic growth.

Current trends in world agricultural trade by product: the place and role of Ukraine in the context of its own food security

Methods. The methods used as the methodological basis of the study were: analysis and synthesis - when identifying modern trends in the development of international trade in agricultural products; factor analysis – when identifying factors that stimulate the growth of international trade in agricultural products; generalization – when processing statistical data with the aim of establishing the dynamics of global export and import of grain crops by the largest exporting countries; normative analysis – when formulating recommendations for improving the position of Ukraine on the world market of agricultural products and creating conditions for its food security. Results. Current global trends in the development of international trade in agricultural products were considered, and the main subjects of the global agricultural market are singled out. The place of Ukraine in the world market of agricultural products is determined and the role played by the country in shaping the offer of the specified product is shown. The main problems of Ukraine's food security, which are related to its participation in international trade and economic relations in the agrarian sector of the economy, are singled out. Recommendations were given to strengthen Ukraine's competitive position on the world market of agricultural products and create conditions for its food security. Novelty. The main global trends in the field of international trade in agricultural products were proposed, which is based on a comparative analysis of challenges and opportunities for a country that participates in the international exchange of agricultural products. The weak and strong sides of Ukraine's participation in the international trade of agricultural products have been identified in view of its economic security. New opportunities and challenges for the export of nationally produced agricultural products have been identified. Practical value. The conducted analysis provides an understanding of the state and development trends of the world market of agricultural products, which allows to strengthen the place and role of Ukraine in trade and economic relations with other countries of the world, as well as to create conditions for its food security.

Analysis on the Modification of Article 5, Paragraph 2 of the WTO's SPS Agreement

Against the backdrop of the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), this study explores how health security measures affect international trade in the context of globalization, particularly in the context of global health crises such as COVID-19. Through an in-depth analysis of the provisions of the SPS Agreement and international trade data, as well as previous studies and case studies, the study made three key recommendations: enhancing transparency in risk assessment, promoting public participation in health policy-making, and facilitating the establishment of mechanisms for cross-border cooperation. These recommendations aim to ensure that member countries not only follow scientific principles when implementing sanitary and phytosanitary measures, but also reduce unnecessary barriers to trade and promote the sustainable development of global trade. The conclusions of the study highlight that these improvements can effectively alleviate the trade uncertainty that may be brought about by health security measures, thereby protecting public health and promoting the healthy growth of international trade.

Determinants of Fisheries Trade Competitiveness: The Case of Malaysia

Fisheries constitute one of the most globalised food industries and significantly contribute to a nation’s socioeconomic development and international food security. Malaysia is a small open economy endowed with fisheries resources; however, the rapid growth of international trade has changed the patterns of fish trade dependence. It has now become a fish importer and experienced a critical fish trade deficit since 2009, implicating eroding trade competitiveness of Malaysian fisheries in the global market. The existing empirical studies on competitiveness conclude that Malaysia loses the competitive status in the international fish market, but the Trade Competitiveness Index (TCI) and its determinants have not been thoroughly explored. Hence, this present study aims to examine the short and long run effects of trade openness, the exchange rate and fishery employment on the TCI of Malaysian fisheries during 1976– 2018, using an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) approach. The findings conclude that Malaysia has lost its trade competitiveness in terms of TCI in the global fishery market. The ARDL results show that an appreciation of the exchange rate as well as more trade openness and fishery employment enhance the TCI in the short run (i.e., a few years), but have negative effects in the long run. To ameliorate trade competitiveness, higher restrictions on fish imports are recommended, as well as more adoption of science and technology in fisheries in the long run, given the nature of the exchange rate, appreciation policies are proposed in the short run.

The impact of air transportation, trade openness, and economic growth on CO2 emissions in Saudi Arabia

The global economy has reported an unprecedented increase in growth rates over the last 2 decades, due to rapid evolution in transportation and communications. The rapid growth of international trade has increased the demand for fossil fuel, leading to exacerbated environmental risks. Air transportation is an essential operational practice in trade openness and has many economic benefits. However, its effect on CO2 emissions is not well understood. Studies on the causal relationships between air transportation, trade openness, economic growth, and CO2 emissions are lacking, especially across Middle Eastern countries. This study targets Saudi Arabia, one of the largest countries in the Middle East region in terms of economic capabilities and geographical area, to investigate the impact of air transportation, trade openness, and economic growth on CO2 emissions. To this end, data was derived from the World Development Indicators (WDI) established by the World Bank for the period 1991–2023. An autoregressive, distributed lag autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model was used to analyze associations among the study variables; the empirical findings confirm that air transportation, trade openness, and economic growth have positive and statistically significant effects on CO2 emissions in both long- and short-run scenarios. However, the results illustrate that economic growth alone is unable to sufficiently reduce CO2 emissions in Saudi Arabia, indicating a lack of connection between economic policies and environmental goals. Thus, these results indicate that the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis is not valid for Saudi Arabia. In addition, this study provides useful insights for policymakers to mitigate CO2 emissions. Suggestions include attracting foreign investment, modifying the structure of trade, mitigating the reliance on imports and enhancing exports, while focusing on green strategies for economic growth, replacing fossil fuels with clean and renewable sources, subsidizing environmentally friendly technologies, and enacting decarbonizing regulations.

The 2022 ICSID Arbitration Rules: Modernizing International Investment Dispute Resolution

Abstract The new Arbitration Rules of the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), which came into force on July 1, 2022, replace the previous version in force since 2006. These rules seek to make the ICSID arbitration process more efficient and responsive, while maintaining the high standards that have made ICSID a respected forum for resolving investment disputes. The new rules reflect changes in international investment law and policy over the past decade, and also aim to address shortcomings of the previous system, such as lack of transparency and efficiency. New provisions have been introduced to simplify and speed up arbitration procedures, provide greater transparency, increase the legitimacy of arbitration processes and expand access to them. The new rules reflect the expectations of ICSID and its members for more efficient and transparent resolution of investment disputes and should facilitate the further growth of international investment and trade, as well as the resolution of disputes arising in connection with these processes.

Interconnectivity disrupted by fading globalization: a network approach to recent international trade developments

The post-World War II decades experienced rapid growth in international trade, but a trend of weakening globalization has been consolidating recently. We construct the international trade network (ITN) using bilateral trade (2010–2022) to assess how interconnectedness has evolved in the face of recent developments. Our analysis reveals that, while network connectivity initially improved, there has been a shift towards a negative trend since 2018, coinciding with an increasingly unfavorable environment for international trade. We also document significant changes in the roles of countries within the ITN. While the USA remains the primary hub and China solidifies its second position, key countries like Germany, France, Great Britain, and Japan have notably lost relevance, whereas nations like India and the Republic of Korea are gaining prominence. Finally, employing an econometric model, we show that countries with large economies, significant manufacturing sectors, lower inward foreign direct investment stock, and economic and geopolitical stability tend to occupy more central positions in the ITN.

Negative impact of democracy on GDP annual growth rate in 2001-2019 and 2020 and mortality rate due to COVID-19 in 2020

The study examines the negative impact of democracy on the GDP annual growth rate in 2001-2019 and 2020 and the morality rate due to COVID-19 in 2020. Whether democracy has deteriorated in the first 20 years of the 21st century in terms of annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate and the mortality rate due to COVID-19 was investigated. Using various statistical data and by applying instrumental variable analysis with three instrumental variables. The negative correlation between democratic maturity and GDP growth rate and positive one between democratic maturity and COVID-19 mortality rate in 2020 were found. The same relationships were observed even when the data of China and the United States or those of China and G7 countries were deleted and even when only G20 countries were considered, indicating that this is a common phenomenon in the world. We also proposed that these relationships were casual. The decline in the growth of capital formation, the accompanying decline in the growth of value added in all three sectors, and the decline in the growth of international trade were suggested as the causes of democracy’s deterioration. Negative effects of democracy were also observed when GDP per capita growth rate was used, when democracy indicators proposed by different institutions were used, or when the Great Recession was considered. We confirmed the same negative effect of democracy by considering covariates and using the GDP growth rate in 2021, following the pandemic. This strengthened the conclusion that democracy in the first 20 years of the 21st century has deteriorated in terms of annual GDP growth rate and mortality rate due to COVID-19 in 2020.

DETERMINATION OF STRATEGIC PRIORITIES FOR INLAND WATER TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT OF UKRAINE

Topicality. In the context of globalization and the growth of international trade, water transport is becoming key to transport infrastructure, especially in Ukraine with its strategic location and river potential. The economic and ecological importance of inland waterway transport is obvious, but its development is held back by a number of challenges, including infrastructure constraints, economic difficulties, environmental requirements and legislative barriers. The relevance of the study lies in the need to analyze these challenges and define strategies to increase the competitiveness and integration of Ukrainian inland water transport into international logistics chains.Aim and tasks. Determine the priority strategic directions for the development of inland water transport of Ukraine, focusing on integration with international networks, adaptation to geopolitical changes, economic efficiency and environmental innovations. Tasks include analyzing the current state, assessing the impact of external factors and formulating recommendations for increasing the competitiveness and sustainable development of the industry, using international experience.Materials and Methods. The research is based on official documents, scientific literature and statistics to analyze the state of the industry and international experience. The methodology combines comparative analysis, expert evaluations and statistical analysis to identify trends. This will help assess the situation in Ukrainian inland water transport and develop recommendations for increasing its efficiency, sustainable development and integration into international logistics networks.Research results. In view of the growing need for efficient and environmentally sustainable transport solutions, the inland water transport of Ukraine shows significant potential for development. Analysis of the current state and international experience indicates a critical need to implement strategic directions aimed at modernization of infrastructure, implementation of environmental standards, development of multimodal transportation, attraction of investments and activation of international integration.Modernizing infrastructure, including upgrading locks, ports and navigation systems, is fundamental to ensuring the safety, efficiency and accessibility of water transport. This will allow Ukraine to increase the carrying capacity of river routes and optimize logistics chains.The introduction of environmental standards and innovations, in particular the use of environmentally friendly fuels and autonomous ships, will help reduce emissions and increase the environmental friendliness of the industry. This corresponds to the global trends of greening of transport and ensures the sustainable development of water transport.The development of multimodal transport, integrating water transport with other types of transport, opens up new opportunities for optimizing cargo flows and increasing the efficiency of the country's transport system.Attracting investments, both domestic and international, is key to the implementation of modernization and innovation projects. Creating a favorable investment climate and state support through incentives and guarantees will be able to accelerate the development of the industry.Activation of international integration through cooperation with international organizations and adaptation to international standards will allow Ukraine to integrate into global transport networks, attract international experience and investments for the development of water transport.The implementation of these strategic directions will require an integrated approach, coordinated work of the government, business and international partners, as well as taking into account the economic and environmental requirements of today.Conclusion. A government program with investment incentives, modernization and environmental innovation is recommended; legislative improvements to support water transport; business investments in the fleet and infrastructure; international support for Ukraine's integration into global networks. Future research should focus on adaptation to global change and private investment strategies.

THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE

This paper studies the complex impact mechanism of AI (artificial intelligence) technology on international trade. This provides an answer to how different countries use AI technology to increase their own international trade volume. This article is based on an analysis of cross-sectional data for 139 countries in 2021. This paper uses the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method to perform a analysis on the cross-sectional data. This paper finds that the membership of World Trade Organization (WTO) has obvious significance for a country to use AI technology to promote exports. In countries with a high Government AI Readiness Index, AI technology has a significant role in promoting the growth of international trade. However, there is a significant negative correlation between the number of patent applications for AI-related technologies and imports and exports across countries. Besides, the number of patent applications for AI-related technologies has a direct heterogeneous impact on the imports of countries with different income groups. AI technology is an emerging technology. To study the impact of this technology on international trade, multiple factors of AI technology must be considered at the same time. For countries that are not members of the WTO, joining the WTO can make better use of AI technology to promote the development of their international trade. Between the complex relationship between the number of patent applications for different AI-related technologies and international trade, countries with different income groups should develop AI technologies that are beneficial to their own international trade.

Impact of the Business Environment on the High-Quality Development of International Trade Based on Data from 30 Provinces in China

Superior growth in international trade is an important part of economic development. A good business environment is a necessary condition for economic development as well. This paper picks data from 2013 to 2021 and uses 30 Chinese provinces as research goals, excluding Tibet. Based on the new development concepts of innovation, coordination, green, openness, and sharing, this paper establishes the measurement system of international trade. The business environment is evaluated from four aspects: the public supply level, human resource level, market environment level, and government services level. The connection between the business atmosphere and the superior growth of international trade is empirically studied through the fixed effect model. The entropy weight method is used to assign weights to the indicators. The robust test of the regression model was carried out by the TOPSIS method. This paper also does the fractal regression and heterogeneity analysis. The research finds that: (1) Improving the business environment plays a big part in encouraging the high-quality development of international trade. However, the size of its impact varies from region to region and from level to level of economic development; (2) The business environment mainly affects international trade through human resources, market capability, and government services. The impact of public supply is significant but relatively weak; (3) The business environment has a gravely detrimental effect on the openness relative index of international trade, which includes the index of international commerce dependence. According to the research conclusion, three suggestions are put forward: improve the level of government affairs, pay attention to the introduction of talents, and optimize the market structure.

Distribution, Invasion History, and Ecology of Non-native Pine Bark Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in Southern South America.

The growth of international trade, coupled with an expansion of large-scale pine plantations in South America during the second half of the twentieth century, has significantly increased the opportunities for the invasion of forest insects. Bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae) are a large and diverse group of insects, commonly recognized as one of the most important tree mortality agents in coniferous forests worldwide and an important group among invasive forest species. In this study, we combined data from field sampling with published records of established non-native pine bark beetles, to describe their distribution and invasion history in pine plantations across southern South America, reviewing the available information on their phenology and host range. We obtained records of established populations of six Eurasian species distributed in two major regions: the southwest region comprises plantations in Chile and the Argentine Patagonia, with four bark beetle species: Hylastes ater, Hylastes linearis, Hylurgus ligniperda, and Orthotomicus laricis; the northeastern zone includes northeastern Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil, and includes three bark beetle species: Cyrtogenius luteus, H. ligniperda, and O. erosus. The establishment of non-native populations across the study area began in the 1950s, and from the 1980s onwards, there has been an exponential increase in introductions. We predict that several of these species will continue spreading across South America and that new species will continue arriving. We highlight the importance of international collaboration for early detection and management of non-native pine bark beetles.

Japan’s relations with China and Korea in the Muromachi era

The article describes the main stages and characteristics of Japanese-Korean and Japanese- Chinese relations in the Muromachi era (1333–1573). From an international relations perspective, it is an extremely important period – after six centuries, formal relations with China (Ming) and Korea (Choson) were reestablished (relations with the Korean state of Silla were interrupted in 779; the last Japanese embassy to Tang China was sent in 838), and East Asia in general experienced an explosive growth of international trade. In the early Muromachi period, Japan maintained overseas relations only with Ryukyu. Despite the sincere desire of the Ashikaga shoguns to reestablish formal relations with China (Ming) and Korea (Choson), it happened only at the beginning of the 15th century. The article deals with the main reasons why the restoration process turned out to be so long and complicated. Japan-Ming and Japan- Choson relations had both similarities and their own characteristics. There were also dramatic turns in both Japanese-Chinese and Japanese-Korean relations: breaking of diplomatic relations with Ming China under Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimochi, and even a military invasion of the Tsushima Island by Korean fleet in 1419. In Russian historiography, this topic is almost not developed, and therefore, at this stage, it seems important to characterize the key events and features of the Japanese interaction with the outside world using the example of its main partners, China and Korea. Meanwhile, a number of features of Japan’s interaction with the outside world during the Tokugawa period are rooted in the Muromachi period or inherit common East Asian cultural patterns.

Шляхи вдосконалення діяльності транспортно-експедиторських підприємств в умовах розвитку інформаційних технологій

The aim of the article is to highlight possible ways to improve the activities of transport and forwarding enterprises in the context of the development of information technology. In the course of the study, it was found that in the scientific sphere there is an active coverage of the introduction of information and innovative technologies in the field of transport and forwarding activities and it is emphasized that the dynamic and rapidly changing environment requires additional and constant updating in accordance with the latest trends. It is determined that the basis for the development of transport and forwarding activities is the growth of international trade and the expansion of the e-commerce industry around the world. The structure of export-import operations of Ukraine for 2023 is presented and it is noted that, in accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine, forwarding services are provided to the client for export, import, transit, as well as for domestic transportation through the territory of Ukraine. The services that can be provided by transport and forwarding enterprises are directly allocated, and the specifics of their activities are described. International organizations (UNCTАD, FIATA) are presented, which were among the first in the market to focus on the importance of introducing information technology in order to create a single international data exchange system for all participants in the transport and logistics market. The advantages of creating a single information space and digitalization of business processes of transport and forwarding enterprises are indicated. The latest trends in the international freight transportation market, which have simplified the procedures for issuing transport and accompanying documents due to their digitalization, are highlighted. The directions of use of blockchain technologies in the field of management of transport and forwarding enterprises are considered. It is determined that today not all enterprises are ready for the introduction of modern information technologies, which is caused by the outdated management culture, technological barriers, etc.

Мировая торговля в условиях кризиса глобализации

The article focuses on the analysis of factors that slow down the growth of international trade at the current stage of globalization. The latter is experiencing a crisis, but objective data do not indicate the end of globalization, but rather its slowdown following rapid growth. In its development, globalization overcomes many obstacles and faces various risks. At present, the threat of fragmentation of the world economy has become especially relevant. The factors causing the slowdown in the growth of globalization and world trade, for the most part, do not threaten the integrity of the world economy. The spread of regional trade agreements also does not negate the long-term efforts of the WTO aimed at trade liberalization, and in itself does not lead to the division of the world economy into separate blocks. Currently, the probability of the risk of fragmentation of the global economy is associated primarily with the geopolitical crisis. It is generally recognized that political confrontation, accompanied by restrictive measures regarding trade, brings economic losses to its participants. It can be assumed that ultimately objective economic laws will prevail and the scenario of the collapse of the global economy will not be realized. However, the high degree of uncertainty inherent in the political sphere does not allow us to confidently judge the prospects for an exacerbation or, on the contrary, mitigation of the crisis situation, and therefore the depth and duration of the impact of the political factor on economic policy and trade. After a pause, during which integration processes will unfold primarily at the level of world regions, globalization will resume its growth. Its pace will depend on a number of factors: normalization of the international political situation, overcoming trade contradictions, strengthening the system of global governance, dissemination of the principles of sustainable and responsible development, and many others. Development will acquire a more measured character, and the openness of economies and their interdependence will increase. In the long term, the main trends in the development of world trade that are currently observed will continue: a decrease in the share of goods and an increase in the share of services, an increase in the role of developing countries in trade in goods and developed countries in trade in services. The growth rates of world trade and GDP will remain at a relatively low level, while trade will grow somewhat faster than production. In the future, factors related to digitalization, robotics, artificial intelligence, additive technologies and climate change will become more noticeable. They will lead to shifts in the product structure of trade and the directions of the main commodity flows, but will not stop globalization, but will give it new features and directions of development.

Research on safety evaluation and weather routing optimization of ship based on roll dynamics and improved A* algorithm

With the steady growth of international trade, sea transport has become indispensable, leading to an increase in maritime accidents. The sinking of the Russian Black Sea Fleet flagship, the guided missile cruiser “Moskva,” underscores the critical need for enhanced maritime safety. However, the dynamics of ship stability, particularly under transverse wind and wave conditions, remain unclear. We aimed to explore ship navigation safety by using the Moskva incident as a case study. Specifically, our objective was to investigate the influence of wind and waves on ship stability, calculate the capsizing probability of the vessel, and devise a fast and safe return path to port. We conducted a comprehensive review of existing literature on ship stability and path-planning algorithms. Leveraging this knowledge, we established the dynamics equation under transverse wind and wave conditions and integrated risk and vulnerability indicators to obtain a quantitative sea-area risk zoning map. Additionally, we employed the A* algorithm to plan a path under International Maritime Organization rules restrictions. Our findings reveal insights into ship stability dynamics and the importance of considering environmental factors in navigation safety. We calculated the capsizing probability of Moskva and devised a fast and safe return path to port, highlighting the practical application of our methodology. This study contributes to the understanding of ship navigation safety by addressing the knowledge gap in ship stability dynamics. Our findings underscore the significance of considering environmental factors in navigation safety planning. However, limitations exist in terms of data availability and model accuracy. Future research should explore additional factors impacting ship stability and refine path-planning algorithms for enhanced safety.

Exploring the Difficulties and Breakthrough Ways of High School Mathematics Teaching in the Internet+

With the constant penetration of the Internet in people's work and life, many schools have also begun to advocate the Internet plus teaching mode and change the teaching method. This article will study the difficulties and breakthrough ways of high school mathematics teaching in the era of Internet plus, aiming at innovating teaching methods and improving the teaching level of high school mathematics. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and international trade are two important economic activities in the globalized economy. FDI involves multinational companies making direct investments abroad to gain control or participate in business activities, while international trade involves cross-border transactions of goods and services. There exists a close connection and mutual dependence between the two. FDI promotes the growth of international trade by expanding the scope of investments and market access for enterprises. On the other hand, international trade provides multinational companies with more business opportunities and markets, thus driving the development of FDI. This article aims to explore the linkages and interactions between FDI and international trade, as well as their impact on the global economy and local economies.

Technological Advancement and Its Impact on International Trade Dynamics: A Comprehensive Study of Bangladesh

This research delves into the intricate relationship between technological advancement and international trade dynamics in Bangladesh, a nation experiencing a burgeoning number of internet users and technological immersion. Analyzing data from a sample of 25 firms across diverse sectors, the study unveiled a potent correlation between technological adoption and firm growth. Notably, large firms in the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) and IT sectors demonstrated pronounced technological integration, positively influencing their trade growth. In contrast, the agriculture (AGRI) sector presented unique challenges, with medium and small enterprises perceiving technological assimilation as a significant barrier. Regression analyses reinforced technological adoption as a paramount determinant of growth, elucidating approximately 91.2% of the variance in firm growth rates. Despite the overarching positive trajectory, the research underscores variances in technological impact across sectors and firm sizes. Conclusively, while technology emerges as a catalyst for growth in Bangladesh's international trade, its uniform adoption and consequent benefits necessitate tailored strategies and infrastructural enhancements.

Transcriptome and Metabolome Analyses Reveal That Jasmonic Acids May Facilitate the Infection of Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus in Bottle Gourd

Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) is a typical seed-borne tobamovirus that mainly infects cucurbit crops. Due to the rapid growth of international trade, CGMMV has spread worldwide and become a significant threat to cucurbit industry. Despite various studies focusing on the interaction between CGMMV and host plants, the molecular mechanism of CGMMV infection is still unclear. In this study, we utilized transcriptome and metabolome analyses to investigate the antiviral response of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) under CGMMV stress. The transcriptome analysis revealed that in comparison to mock-inoculated bottle gourd, 1929 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in CGMMV-inoculated bottle gourd. Among them, 1397 genes were upregulated while 532 genes were downregulated. KEGG pathway enrichment indicated that the DEGs were mainly involved in pathways including the metabolic pathway, the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, plant hormone signal transduction, plant–pathogen interaction, and starch and sucrose metabolism. The metabolome result showed that there were 76 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), of which 69 metabolites were up-accumulated, and 7 metabolites were down-accumulated. These DAMs were clustered into several pathways, including biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, tyrosine metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. Combining the transcriptome and metabolome results, the genes and metabolites involved in the jasmonic acid and its derivatives (JAs) synthesis pathway were significantly induced upon CGMMV infection. The silencing of the allene oxide synthase (AOS) gene, which is the key gene involved in JAs synthesis, reduced CGMMV accumulation. These findings suggest that JAs may facilitate CGMMV infection in bottle gourd.

A Study on the Relationship Between Cross-border E-commerce, Business Environment, and High-quality Development of Foreign Trade

An essential factor in achieving high-quality development of foreign trade is cross-border e-commerce, which serves as a new catalyst for trade growth. This paper empirically analyzes the impact of cross-border e-commerce on the high-quality development of foreign trade using China's provincial panel data from 2013 to 2021. The study employs the static fixed effect model and dynamic Gram Molecular Mass (GMM) regression model to investigate the relationship, and further utilizes the mechanism effect model to explore the role of the business environment. The findings demonstrate that the emergence of cross-border e-commerce has significantly facilitated the growth of international trade. By improving the structure and increasing the level, scale, and competitiveness of foreign trade, it directly promotes the high-quality development of foreign trade. Moreover, the impact of cross-border e-commerce is more pronounced in regions with high Internet penetration rates compared to those with low rates.