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International Economic Relations

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Increased international trade, and the lowering of barriers to such trade, frequently results in improved international relations, but it can also lead to trade wars and tariff disputes. RAND research explores bilateral and multilateral economic relations; describes how they affect global alliances, globalization, and the economic health of nations; and recommends methods to develop, encourage, and maintain these relations among diverse nations and cultures.

Commentary
A Case for Greater U.S. Engagement in Central Asia
Central Asia's souring relations with Russia and growing skepticism of Chinese influence have created a rare and valuable window of opportunity for the United States to bolster its image through greater long-term investment in the region.
Sep 11, 2023
Commentary
Consequences of the War in Ukraine: The Economic Fallout
Before Russia invaded Ukraine, projections estimated global economic growth in 2022 would be around 5 percent. But the war in Ukraine contributed to slowed economic growth in 2022 and a slowed recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. What are the broader consequences for the global economy?
Mar 7, 2023

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Blog
China's Ambitions, Origins of the Coronavirus, Income Inequality: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on China’s quest for global primacy, understanding the coronavirus origin story, how parents feel about sending their children back to school, and more.
Jun 11, 2021
Commentary
Depoliticizing Russian Gas in Europe
At their June 16 Summit in Geneva, Presidents Biden and Putin might consider how to reduce the sharp tensions over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project. Cooperation among governments and companies may offer potential.
Jun 11, 2021
Report
China's Quest for Global Primacy
U.S.-China relations have entered a new phase characterized by sharpening competition. Beijing's international and defense strategies aim to outcompete the United States and establish primacy in the Asia-Pacific region and leadership of the world order. What does this mean for U.S. policy?
Jun 7, 2021
Commentary
An Economic Blueprint for North Korea
It would be simplistic to think that developing detailed blueprints for economic development in North Korea could on its own cut through decades of conflict and mistrust, triggering political and economic reform. But by expanding the terms of the debate it might move the needle on peace.
Jun 4, 2021
Report
From Hermit Kingdom to Open for Business
When the situation in North Korea becomes conducive to foreign investment and development, what might it take to kick-start the country's economy?
May 25, 2021
Commentary
Sanctions Targeting Russia's Defense Sector: Will They Influence Its Behavior?
In response to recent Russian cyber espionage, interference in U.S. elections, and the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, President Biden announced a new round of sanctions and expulsions of Russian officials. But will these sanctions hurt Russia's defense industry enough to curb the Kremlin's behavior?
May 20, 2021
Journal Article
The Flag Lags but Follows: The PLA and China's Great Leap Outward
This chapter explores how China may protect its overseas interests, analyzes PLA thinking about the security dimensions of the Belt and Road Initiative, and considers three case studies on what securing China's overseas interests involves in concrete terms.
May 18, 2021
Commentary
China Does Not Have to Be America's Enemy in the Middle East
China and Iran made a deal in which China promised to boost its investment in Iranian infrastructure in exchange for a steady supply of oil. This uptick in Chinese influence does not necessarily erode U.S. power in the region. The United States may even find overlapping interests with China since both have a stake in containing conflicts and instability.
Apr 19, 2021
Commentary
Abraham Accords Offer Historic Opportunity to Spur Mideast Growth
The Abraham Accords have heralded a dramatic shift in the relationship between Israel and the Muslim nations of the world. While these accords represent a major political breakthrough, they also represent a possible new chapter in the region's development: away from conflict and toward a shared economic vision of prosperity.
Mar 25, 2021
Journal Article
Improving Preferential Market Access Through Rules of Origin: Firm-Level Evidence from Bangladesh
This paper studies how rules of origin in potential export markets influence the export behavior of firms in least-developed countries.
Mar 23, 2021
Journal Article
Rules of Origin and Trade Preference Utilization Among Least Developed Countries
This article assesses how the utilization of trade agreements responds to rules of origin revisions that allow for more foreign content in exported products.
Mar 23, 2021
Commentary
The Abraham Accords Could Have Wide-Reaching Economic Benefits
The Abraham Accords between Israel and Muslim nations represent a possible new chapter in the region's development—away from conflict and toward a shared vision of economic prosperity. Israel's partners could gain 150,000 new jobs. And that could grow to 4 million new jobs over a decade if other nations join.
Mar 18, 2021
Commentary
Book Review: 'Liberalism, the Blob, and American Foreign Policy: Evidence and Methodology' by Robert Jervis
Robert Jervis' “Liberalism, the Blob, and American Foreign Policy: Evidence and Methodology” is a thoughtful review of two books written by prominent international relations theorists John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt. Jervis focuses his critique primarily on methodology and argues that the actual historical record is more complicated than either Mearsheimer or Walt suggests.
Mar 12, 2021
Testimony
Factors Shaping China's Use of Force Calculations Against Taiwan
Taiwan remains the People's Liberation Army's main strategic direction despite a growing recognition that the PLA must also support China's international interests and presence. Does China see itself as capable of confronting the United States and its allies in a conflict over Taiwan? And what are some U.S. policy considerations?
Feb 18, 2021
Testimony
U.S. Allied and Partner Support for Taiwan
As the Biden administration assesses its Taiwan policy, it is important to examine how U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific might respond to a potential conflict over Taiwan. What factors might influence their willingness to help the United States defend Taiwan? And how might they respond if the United States did not come to Taiwan's defense?
Feb 18, 2021
Blog
Political Violence, COVID-19 Vaccine Questions, Mental Health Care: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on why we need to brace for more political violence after the Capitol attack, COVID-19 vaccine questions and answers, how to reform the U.S. mental health system, and more.
Jan 15, 2021
Commentary
Lessons for Central America's Recovery from Hurricanes
As the global community works to assist Central America in recovering from the disastrous 2020 hurricane season, other recent recovery efforts offer helpful lessons, both for the governments of the region as well as outsiders providing resources and support.
Jan 11, 2021
Commentary
Why We 'Send Them Money'
Why does the United States send foreign countries American taxpayer money? The answer, in short, is because it serves U.S. self-interest to do so. Aid is not some act of charity at the American taxpayers' expense; it can help keep Americans safer, more prosperous, and secure.
Dec 30, 2020
Commentary
China Isn't Backing Down in South Asia
Much to India's frustration, China's influence is on the rise across South Asia. India will probably have to work overtime, and in concert with like-minded partners such as Australia, Japan, and the United States to complicate and rein in China's successes in the region.
Dec 30, 2020
Commentary
RCEP Forms the World's Largest Trading Bloc. What Does This Mean for Global Trade?
In November, 15 nations signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free-trade agreement of economic and political significance eight years in the making. Why have some heralded RCEP as a landmark agreement?
Dec 9, 2020

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RAND Topic:
International Economic Relations

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Amal Altwaijri

Ph.D. student, Pardee RAND Graduate School, and Assistant Policy Researcher, RAND

Amal Altwaijri is a Ph.D. student in the Research, Analysis, and Design stream at Pardee RAND Graduate School and an assistant policy researcher at RAND. She has a dual M.A. in international relations and international economics with a minor in strategic studies from the Johns Hopkins School of…
Mark Stalczynski

Senior Analyst

Mark Stalczynski is a senior analyst at the RAND Corporation. Stalczynski's areas of interest include Russia (its budget, economy, and domestic policies); public finance and government spending; and energy and the environment. Stalczynski often undertakes budget and cost analysis to contribute…

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