In light of COVID-19, should supply chains be reconfigured?

Some policymakers have drawn adverse conclusions about the performance of cross-border supply chains during COVID-19. That such supply chains often involve China, the origin of the pandemic, has led to claims that trading partners have become too dependent on Chinese supplies. Calls for supply chain reconfiguration have followed; if adopted broadly, they could revise the terms of international business. Does the evidence of the first six months of the pandemic support the reconfiguration of supply chains? Joining this episode of Trade Winds were:

Host:

Anabel González, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)

Guests:
• Simon J. Evenett, Professor of International Trade and Economic Development, Department of Economics, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland

• Mary E. Lovely, Senior Fellow, PIIE; Professor of Economics and Melvin A. Eggers Faculty Scholar, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University