Download BLOCS
This release: 1-March 2024.
Next available release scheduled for: 1-June 2024.
We are in the process of developing a query that will allow users to select years and variables for export. Until then the entire file and the process by which it was developed can be found by clicking the above link. Please send us an email if you find bugs, or can offer any suggestions for upcoming releases.
The Bilateral Longitudinal Observations and Country Statistics (BLOCS) database is functional, public and free. The primary function is to consolidate observations related to bilateral trade and investment flows so it is possible to investigate their relationships with international institutional change (including, but not limited to, trade agreements and tariffs). BLOCS was built on a foundation of DOTS data provided by the International Monetary Fund. The database includes information on trade tariffs, trade flows, international investment, international agreements, institutional characteristics and polity positions as well as general economic and financial statistics.
BLOCS provides bilateral trade and investment positions for all countries recognized by the United Nations, complemented with those territorial unities considered by the IMF as relevant economics areas. Although there are incomplete records in some cases, robust information exists for many pairs and considers the years 1948-2022. The database assists in investigating historical-institutional conditions and the elements of international trade, investment and relationships. The curation of this database is meant to promote and support purposeful research.
Cite this data using the following reference:
Wu. J.P, Silva Neira I., Goulas, S., Banach, C. (2024). Building BLOCS and Stepping Stones: Combined Data for International Economic and Policy Analysis [3.1]. (Forthcoming)
Abstract of Forthcoming Working Paper
This paper explores a familiar question using a robust combined dataset and advances in structural gravity analysis to offer valuable insight into preferential economic integration agreements and trade networks. The question of whether trade agreements are ‘stepping stones’ or ‘stumbling blocks’ to multilateral trade liberalization is not a new one; however, the empirical methods and the quality of the data used to answer this question are continually improving.
We introduce the Bilateral Longitudinal Observations and Country Statistics database and demonstrate variation in PPML estimations using measures from alternate sources. Moreover, we include novel observations on port contracts with Chinese Affiliated Enterprises to demonstrate the effects of an extended Maritime Silk Road on bilateral trade and investment.
Differences observed between measures for PTA and RTA pairs indicate that the measurement methodology for trade agreement participation matters. Our findings also suggest that variations in agreement details predict variation in total trade, thus supporting the hypothesis that not all trade agreements are created equal. It is the institutional details that determine whether a trade agreement will be a ‘stepping stone’ or a ‘stumbling block’ to multilateral trade liberalization.
Data Sources Used in the Construction of BLOCS
*citations are listed in the order in which they were merged.
Direction of Trade Statistics (IMF)
IMF (2020a), Direction of Trade Statistics, http://data.imf.org/DOT.
World Trade Flows (Robert Feenstra)
Feenstra, R., Romalis, J. (2016) World Trade Flows Bilateral Data, https://www.robertcfeenstra.com/data.html
Bilateral Product Trade Flows (CEPII)
CEPII (2020), BACI International Trade Database at the Product-Level, http://www.cepii.fr/cepii/en/bdd_modele/BACI
Regional Trade Agreements (Mario Larch)
“Mario Larch’s Regional Trade Agreements Database from Egger and Larch (2008)” where Egger and Larch (2008) refers to the following paper: Egger, Peter H. and Mario Larch (2008), Interdependent Preferential Trade Agreement Memberships: An Empirical Analysis, Journal of International Economics 76(2), pp. 384-399. https://www.ewf.uni-bayreuth.de/en/research/RTA-data/index.html
Tariff Data (Andrew Rose)
Andrew Rose’s Tariff Dataset from Furceri et al. (2019)” where Fuceri et al. refers to the following paper: Fuceri, D., Hannan, J., Ostry, D., and Rose, A. (2019), The Macro Economy After Tariffs (Working Paper) website: https://www.andrewkrose.net dataset: zip file containing data and notes
Bilateral FDI Stocks and Flows (IMF) (UNCTAD)
IMF (2020) Coordinate Direct Investment Survey (CDIS), https://data.imf.org/?sk=40313609-F037-48C1-84B1-E1F1CE54D6D5
UNCTAD (2020) FDI/TNC database, https://unctad.org/topic/investment/investment-statistics-and-trends
Design of Trade Agreements (DESTA)
Dür, Andreas, Leonardo Baccini and Manfred Elsig. 2014. “The Design of International Trade Agreements: Introducing a New Database”. Review of International Organizations, 9(3): 353-375. https://www.designoftradeagreements.org/downloads/
Regime Authority Characteristics (CSP)
CSP (2018), Integrated Network for Societal Conflict Research, https://www.systemicpeace.org/inscrdata.html
International Financial Statistics (IMF)
IMF (2020b), International Financial Statistics, https://data.imf.org/IFS
Balance of Payments (IMF)
IMF (2020c), International Financial Statistics, https://data.imf.org/BOP
Data for Gravity Analysis (CEPII)
CEPII (2020) Gravity database, http://www.cepii.fr/cepii/en/bdd_modele/presentation.asp?id=8
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
UNESCO (2021a), UNESCO Institute for Statistics, Education and Science, https://apiportal.uis.unesco.org/bdds
World Development Indicators (World Bank)
World Bank (2021b), World Development Indicators, https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators
Worldwide Governance Indicators (World Bank)
World Bank (2021c), Worldwide Governance Indicators, https://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi/
Meta Analysis EMU Trade Effects (Andrew Rose)
Andrew Rose’s EMU Trade Effects Dataset refers to the following paper: Rose, A (2017). Why do Estimates of the EMU Effect on Trade Vary So Much?. NBER Working Paper 22678. (Working Paper) website: https://www.andrewkrose.net/ dataset: zip file containing data and notes
EIA Economic Integration Agreement Data (Jeffrey Bergstrand)
Economic Integration Agreement Data (2021), https://sites.nd.edu/jeffrey-bergstrand/database-on-economic-integration-agreements/