EU enlargement and the structure of German foreign trade [EU-Erweiterung und die Struktur des deutschen Außenhandels]

This paper explores the trade effects of Eastern EU enlargement in the light of the experience of previous enlargement rounds. It argues that the major part of quantitative trade adjustment has already been achieved in the past when the ‘Europe Agreements’ between the EU and the then applicants came into force. Present adjustment mainly concentrates on the sectoral composition of German trade with the new EU members, which is gradually converting from inter-industry to intra-industry patterns. This development further mitigates structural adjustment pressures for the German economy. © 2006, List-Gesellschaft e.V.