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This paper investigates the impact of aid for trade (AfT) targeted at trade policies on the participation of recipient countries in global value chains (GVCs), and how this impact varies with their prevailing political regimes. In democratic countries, the need for the authorities to account for the interests of various stakeholders (e.g., lobbies, trade unions) can compromise the allocation, use, and effectiveness of AfT. In contrast, less democratic regimes are typically more insulated from political pressures, which may lead to more effective outcomes of aid. At the same time, integration into some complex GVCs requires efficient and democratic institutions, to which these products are sensitive. Employing a sample of 110 countries and data covering 2002-2018, we control for standard determinants of GVC participation, while examining the effect of AfT and the moderating role of the political regime in place. Our estimation addresses the endogeneity of aid through an appropriate instrumentation strategy. Our results suggest that the effect of AfT is mostly positive in autocratic regimes, indicating more effective trade policy reforms. When we account for regional disparities, we find evidence that AfT for trade policy is also impactful in some democratic regimes. This might suggest that the efficacy of AfT is not strictly regime-dependent, but hinges on the government’s commitment to carry out significant reforms leading to greater participation in the global economy.

This paper investigates the impact of aid for trade (AfT) targeted at trade policies on the participation of recipient countries in global value chains (GVCs), and how this impact varies with their prevailing political regimes. In democratic countries, the need for the authorities to account for the interests of various stakeholders (e.g., lobbies, trade unions) can compromise the allocation, use, and effectiveness of AfT. In contrast, less democratic regimes are typically more insulated from political pressures, which may lead to more effective outcomes of aid. At the same time, integration into some complex GVCs requires efficient and democratic institutions, to which these products are sensitive. Employing a sample of 110 countries and data covering 2002-2018, we control for standard determinants of GVC participation, while examining the effect of AfT and the moderating role of the political regime in place. Our estimation addresses the endogeneity of aid through an appropriate instrumentation strategy. Our results suggest that the effect of AfT is mostly positive in autocratic regimes, indicating more effective trade policy reforms. When we account for regional disparities, we find evidence that AfT for trade policy is also impactful in some democratic regimes. This might suggest that the efficacy of AfT is not strictly regime-dependent, but hinges on the government’s commitment to carry out significant reforms leading to greater participation in the global economy.

This paper investigates the impact of aid for trade (AfT) targeted at trade policies on the participation of recipient countries in global value chains (GVCs), and how this impact varies with their prevailing political regimes. In democratic countries, the need for the authorities to account for the interests of various stakeholders (e.g., lobbies, trade unions) can compromise the allocation, use, and effectiveness of AfT. In contrast, less democratic regimes are typically more insulated from political pressures, which may lead to more effective outcomes of aid. At the same time, integration into some complex GVCs requires efficient and democratic institutions, to which these products are sensitive. Employing a sample of 110 countries and data covering 2002-2018, we control for standard determinants of GVC participation, while examining the effect of AfT and the moderating role of the political regime in place. Our estimation addresses the endogeneity of aid through an appropriate instrumentation strategy. Our results suggest that the effect of AfT is mostly positive in autocratic regimes, indicating more effective trade policy reforms. When we account for regional disparities, we find evidence that AfT for trade policy is also impactful in some democratic regimes. This might suggest that the efficacy of AfT is not strictly regime-dependent, but hinges on the government’s commitment to carry out significant reforms leading to greater participation in the global economy.

Le titre de l'exposition fait référence aux multiples hybridités qu'elle explore : celle qui unit les deux artistes, celle des formes et des matériaux employés, celle des références puisées dans l'histoire de l'art, la géopolitique ou la science-fiction, et enfin celle du caractère double des œuvres, qui, malgré leur matérialité affirmée, ouvrent une fenêtre sur l'âme humaine et ses aspirations. Adriana Popović (1970, Paris) possède une double formation artistique et scientifique : formée (…)

- Agenda / Serbie, Région parisienne

Le titre de l'exposition fait référence aux multiples hybridités qu'elle explore : celle qui unit les deux artistes, celle des formes et des matériaux employés, celle des références puisées dans l'histoire de l'art, la géopolitique ou la science-fiction, et enfin celle du caractère double des œuvres, qui, malgré leur matérialité affirmée, ouvrent une fenêtre sur l'âme humaine et ses aspirations. Adriana Popović (1970, Paris) possède une double formation artistique et scientifique : formée (…)

- Agenda / Serbie, Région parisienne

The EU demonstrates its unwavering support for Ukraine by setting up a €90 billion loan to help finance urgent budgetary and defence needs in 2026 and 2027.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 27 April - 5 May 2026.

During the press conference held at the end of the informal meeting of heads of state or government of 23-24 April 2026, President António Costa presented the main results of the discussions.

President of the European Council António Costa highlighted that the EU is a reliable and predictable partner for the region, following the discussions held in Lefkosia, Cyprus on 24 April 2026.

Der Fahrplan „Ein Europa, ein Markt“ wurde heute von der Präsidentin des Parlaments, dem Präsidenten des Rates und der Präsidentin der Kommission unterzeichnet.

Vor Beginn der informellen Tagung der Staats- und Regierungschefs am 23/.24 April 2026 trat der Präsident des Europäischen Rates António Costa in Agia Napa, Zypern, vor die Presse.

Am 23. April 2026 gaben Präsident Costa, Präsidentin von der Leyen und Präsident Selenskyj nach ihrem trilateralen Treffen in Agia Napa (Zypern) vor der informellen Tagung der Staats- und Regierungschefs der EU eine gemeinsame Erklärung ab.

Der Rat hat ein 20. Paket wirtschaftlicher und individueller restriktiver Maßnahmen angenommen, die auf wichtige Sektoren der russischen Wirtschaft wie Energie, Finanzdienstleistungen, Handel und Kryptowährungen abzielen. Damit wird die Fähigkeit des Regimes, seinen Angriffskrieg gegen die Ukraine zu führen, weiter geschwächt.

Die EU richtet ein Darlehen in Höhe von 90 Mrd. € ein und stellt damit ihre unerschütterliche Unterstützung für die Ukraine unter Beweis. Mit dem Darlehen soll die Finanzierung des dringenden Haushalts- und Verteidigungsbedarfs in den Jahren 2026 und 2027 unterstützt werden.

Main agenda items, approximate timing, public sessions and press opportunities.

Weekly schedule of President António Costa, 27 April - 5 May 2026.

During the press conference held at the end of the informal meeting of heads of state or government of 23-24 April 2026, President António Costa presented the main results of the discussions.

Die US-Marines testen in Kalifornien ein radikales Konzept. Kampfjets landen auf Strassen, LKWs dienen als Tankstellen. Ziel ist, in künftigen Konflikten flexibler und weniger verwundbar zu sein.

Kristi Noem weigert sich trotz Entlassung im März 2026, ein Luxushaus auf einem Militärstützpunkt in Washington, D.C. zu räumen. Die Unterkunft ist eigentlich für den Küstenwache-Kommandanten vorgesehen.