The geography of international trade

This article reviews the geographical literature on international trade since 1980. There has been reinvigorated attention in this subject recently. This article reviews research on the geography of international trade in order to specify the constituent elements of a comprehensive theory. Argues that an unmodified theory of comparative advantage is deficient and more attention needs to be given to the roles of government and firms in shaping comparative advantage. Outlines the connection among trade, governments' trade policies (strategic, regional and their political environments) and firms that forge intraindustry and intracorporate linkages. Such a perspective shifts attention away from traditional consumers and more towards the role of firms as consumers, government involvement in the trade area and lays out the essential elements for a theoretically informed approach. -from Author