Exchange Rate Regimes, Specialization and Trade Volume

We develop a general equilibrium monetary model of endogenous specialization and international trade to examine the degree of specialization and trade volume under alternative exchange rate regimes. Where demand shocks are important, we demonstrate an increase in specialization, trade and welfare under coordinated fixed exchange rates, equivalent to a common currency, relative to flexible exchange rates. Where supply shocks are important, the effects on specialization and trade are smaller and ambiguous in direction, though the welfare effects are comparable to those for demand shocks