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A similar vagueness applies in the theory of international
trade, where some models are predicated on the existence of
"intra-industry trade". This arises when a country both
imports and exports commodities in the same product
classification category, such as different types of
automobile. To test such models empirically, one must
define "industry". The Standard International Trade
Classification (SITC) of the United Nations includes the
broad category "beverages and tobacco". If a country
exports beverages and imports tobacco, it would be deemed
to engage in intra-industry trade according to this
classification. Depending on how broad or narrow the
product categories are, a country can be shown to engage in
various fractions of intra-industry and inter-industry
trade. Hence some economists view intra-industry trade as a
statistical artifact.
Andrea Maneschi
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