Melbourne Empirical Trade Conference
The Department of Economics at the University of Melbourne and Monash University will jointly organize the Melbourne Empirical Trade Conference in Melbourne, Australia on July 23-25, 2026. This is a sister conference to EIIT, EITI, RMET, SETC, and KETC and are offered under the rubric of the Forum for Research on Empirical International Trade. Economists specialising in empirical international economics will present their latest research at this meeting.
The conference will begin in the morning on Thursday, July 23, and will continue through mid-day on Saturday. The program will include 13 papers, with one hour per paper devoted to presentation, discussant remarks, and open discussion.
Please register using the link provided to join us in Melbourne!
Matilde Bombardini
Haas School of Business
University of California, Berkeley
Oliver E. and Dolores Williamson Chair in the Economics of Organization
Professor Bombardini’s research covers International Trade and Political Economy, including the link between skill distribution and comparative advantage, firms' lobbying, the role of lobbyists, and corporate philanthropy.
To download a PDF version of the program please click below:
| Day 1: Thursday 23 July 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 0845 - 0900 | Registration and Arrival Tea & Coffee |
| 0900 - 0915 | Welcome and Opening Remarks Serge da Motta Veiga, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, The University of Melbourne |
| Session 1 | |
| Chair: Reshad Ahsan, The University of Melbourne | |
| 0915 - 1015 | Environmental Responses to Foreign Standards: Technical Barriers to Trade and the Geography of US Emissions |
| Presenter: Sergio de Holanda Roch, Monash University | |
| Discussant: Yusuke Kuroishi, Hitotsubashi University | |
| 1015 - 1030 | Morning Break |
| 1030 - 1130 | Cross-border Threats to Health: Impacts of Trade Liberalization on Nutritional Transition |
| Presenter: Jaerim Choi, Yonsei University | |
| Discussant: Krisztina Orban, Monash University | |
| 1130 - 1145 | Break |
| Session 2: Keynote | |
| Chair: Phil McCalman, The University of Melbourne | |
| 1145 - 1245 | The Cost of Buying American |
| Presenter: Matilde Bombardini, Hass School of Business, UC Berkeley | |
| 1245 - 1345 | Lunch |
| Session 3 | |
| Chair: Sergio de Holanda Rocha, Monash University | |
| 1345 - 1445 | Shaken Foundations: How Earthquakes Reshape Japanese Global Supply Chains |
| Presenter: Yuting Chen, Yokohama National University | |
| Discussant: Sebastian Heise, Federal Reserve Bank of New York | |
| 1445 - 1500 | Break |
| 1500 - 1600 | Product Qualty and the Mode of Entry to Foreign Markets |
| Presenter: Chenying Yang, Singapore Management University | |
| Discussant: Emmanuel Murray Leclair, The University of Melbourne | |
| 1600 - 1615 | Afternoon Break |
| Session 4 | |
| Chair: Wenxiao Wang, University of Adelaide | |
| 1615 - 1715 | After Offshoring: Which Skills Do Firms Seek Next? |
| Presenter: Jooyoun Park, Kent State University | |
| Discussant: Chen Liu, National University of Singapore | |
| 1800 | Conference Dinner (Invitation Only) |
| Day 2: Friday 24 July 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 0900 - 0930 | Arrival Tea & Coffee |
| Session 5 | |
| Chair: Sergio de Holanda Rocha, Monash University | |
| 0930 - 1030 | Domestic Trade Costs, Input Sourcing and the Value Added Content of Exports: Evidence from China's Inland Waterways |
| Presenter: Wenxiao Wang, University of Adelaide | |
| Discussant: Enze Xie, Zhejiang University | |
| 1030 - 1100 | Morning Break |
| Session 6 | |
| Chair: Phil McCalman, The University of Melbourne | |
| 1100 - 1200 | Trade Disruptions and the Organization of Supply Chains |
| Presenter: Sebastian Heise, Federal Reserve Bank of New York | |
| Discussant: Yuting Chen, Yokohama National University | |
| 1200 - 1300 | Lunch |
| Session 7 | |
| Chair: Reshad Ahsan, The University of Melbourne | |
| 1300 - 1400 | Global Spillovers of Environmental Policy: Evidence from Japan's Waste Exports |
| Presenter: Yusuke Kuroishi, Hitotsubashi University | |
| Discussant: Sergio de Holanda Rocha, Monash University | |
| 1400 - 1415 | Break |
| 1415 - 1515 | Market Liberalization and Firm-Level Adaptation: Intra-Firm Reallocation and Quality-Related Adjustment in Chinese Exports |
| Presenter: Wanting Ouyang, Korea University | |
| Discussant: Chenying Yang, Singapore Management University | |
| 1515 - 1545 | Afternoon Break |
| Session 8 | |
| Chair: Cong Pham, Deakin University | |
| 1545 - 1645 | Washing Away the US: Tariff Evasion Under China's Retaliatory Tariffs |
| Presenter: Enze Xie, Zhejiang University | |
| Discussant: Sifan Xue, Peking University | |
| Day 3: Saturday 25 July 2026 | |
|---|---|
| 0900 - 0930 | Arrival Tea & Coffee |
| Session 9 | |
| Chair: Reshad Ahsan, The University of Melbourne | |
| 0930 - 1030 | Short-Run Boom, Long-Run Bust: The Dynamic Impact of U.S. Semiconductor Export Controls |
| Presenter: Sifan Xue, Peking University | |
| Discussant: Jaerim Choi, Yonsei University | |
| 1030 - 1100 | Morning Break |
| 1100 - 1200 | How Local Economics Recovered from Manufacturing Job Loss: The Case of China Shock |
| Presenter: Chen Liu, National University of Singapore | |
| Discussant: Jooyoun Park, Kent State University | |
| 1200 | Lunch (Invitation Only) |
| Adjourn Conference | |
Crowne Plaza Melbourne Carlton
701 Swanston Street, Carlton 3053
Veriu Queen Victoria Market
91/101 Therry St, Melbourne 3000
Conveniently located next to the iconic Queen Victoria Market and approximately 8 minutes walk to The University of Melbourne, with a range of premium dining outlets and shops on the hotel's doorstep. Please click here and then enter the special code MBS26 which will offer 20% discount off the best available rate. (When submitting the code, you will need to select rate access/corporate code.)
voco Melbourne Central
18 Timothy Lane, Melbourne 3000
The hotel is moments away from Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne Central Station and the Emporium Shoppping Centre and approximately a 10 minute walk to The University of Melbourne. Please click here to access the direct booking link which will offer 15% discount off the best available rate.
Navigating Melbourne
Public Transport
To use public transport in Melbourne City requires a Myki card. You can purchase a Myki card at most convenience stores or major stations across Melbourne for $6. This will provide you with access to Melbourne's trams, trains, and buses. Within the Melbourne CBD is the ‘Free Tram Zone’, however outside of this area you will need to “Touch On”. You can download a map of the Free Tram Zone HERE. The City of Melbourne produces a free app entitled ‘PTV’ to help you navigate.
Traveling From the Airport
The Sky Bus travels from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Southern Cross Station in the Melbourne CBD. This service leaves the airport roughly every 20 minutes and costs from $23.90 for a one-way or from $40.00 return.
Getting to the University of Melbourne
From the CBD:
To get to The University of Melbourne from Melbourne city center, simply catch any tram going up Swanston Street or Elizabeth Street or take a train to Parkville Station on Grattan Street.
Navigating Melbourne University
The University of Melbourne was first founded in 1853 and is Australia’s second oldest University. The University spans two campuses. The main campus is located in Parkville. There is also a second campus in Southbank where the Victorian College of the Arts resides.
You can view a campus map below or access the University of Melbourne interactive map.
