Is International Trade Good for You? Individual and Contextual Determinants of Anti‐Trade Attitudes

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper studies the determinants of anti‐trade attitudes in the European Union. In particular, it investigates how individuals' perceptions of international trade are shaped by the extent and nature of their local communities' integration into international trade. Drawing on trade theory, the paper argues that this relationship varies across groups of individuals that benefit differently from trade. Results show that differences in trade attitudes between low‐ and high‐skilled workers are driven by the labour market consequences of trade, which affect occupational groups and local economies unevenly. By highlighting the interaction between individual occupational characteristics and local trade exposure, the paper contributes to the understanding of the social and territorial determinants of support for international economic integration.