What Is the Difference between Chinese and Japanese FTAs?

Purpose - This paper tries to estimate the effects of China’s and Japan’s free trade agreement (FTA) by panel generalized least squares (GLS). Design/methodology - The GLS model includes the basic gravity theory and Difference in Difference (DD) method to divide FTA conclusion countries and non-FTA conclusion countries with China and Japan. In order to empirically research the difference between Chinese and Japanese FTAs, we use the Difference in Difference in Difference (DDD) method. Findings - This paper finds the distance variable has more influence on Japanese than Chinese trade. The exchange rate indicates that Chinese trade depends on export and Japanese trade has the structure of re-import; shows that the countries that concluded FTAs with China and Japan have more positive trade effects than those that did not; finds the Chinese FTA promotion effects greater than the Japanese FTA because China had pushed ahead with trade policy since joining the WTO in 2001. Originality/value - This study shows that a single country’s FTA and trade policies are an important factor concerning not just the promotion of trade but also the issue of trade conflicts.