Deciphering the nexus of trade frictions, pollution, and export quality

Abstract In this study, we explore the intricate relationship between domestic trade costs, pollution emissions, and the quality of exports. Utilizing a decade of provincial data from China, we employ spatial econometric models to dissect the nexus among these factors. Our analysis reveals a signifi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tongsheng Xu, Xin Yu, Liang Ding, Yating Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-07-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05558-5
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849237699216539648
author Tongsheng Xu
Xin Yu
Liang Ding
Yating Zhang
author_facet Tongsheng Xu
Xin Yu
Liang Ding
Yating Zhang
author_sort Tongsheng Xu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In this study, we explore the intricate relationship between domestic trade costs, pollution emissions, and the quality of exports. Utilizing a decade of provincial data from China, we employ spatial econometric models to dissect the nexus among these factors. Our analysis reveals a significant spatial dependency linking export quality with environmental pollution, indicating that increases in inter-regional trade costs not only degrade export quality within a region but also influence neighboring provinces. Pollution emissions emerge as a critical mediator in this relationship. Specifically, we find that interprovincial trade frictions suppress export quality through both direct cost channels and indirect environmental effects, with heterogeneous impacts across enterprise ownership types. These results underscore the significant impact of reducing domestic trade costs on enhancing economic efficiency, minimizing environmental pollution, and improving the quality of exports. By integrating trade cost, environmental burden, and export quality into a unified spatial framework, this study offers novel empirical evidence and contributes methodologically by applying the Spatial Durbin Model to quantify spatial spillover and mediation effects. The findings not only illuminate the interconnected nature of trade dynamics and environmental considerations but also provide compelling evidence that strategic policy interventions in trade can lead to sustainable development. This study contributes to the fields of trade economics and environmental policy, highlighting actionable insights that policymakers can leverage to foster economic growth while protecting the environment.
format Article
id doaj-art-962d186239354b34a19fa205dc68753a
institution Kabale University
issn 2662-9992
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Springer Nature
record_format Article
series Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
spelling doaj-art-962d186239354b34a19fa205dc68753a2025-08-20T04:01:52ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-07-0112111310.1057/s41599-025-05558-5Deciphering the nexus of trade frictions, pollution, and export qualityTongsheng Xu0Xin Yu1Liang Ding2Yating Zhang3Jiangxi University of Finance and EconomicsJiangxi University of Finance and EconomicsGuangdong University of Foreign StudiesUniversity of MacauAbstract In this study, we explore the intricate relationship between domestic trade costs, pollution emissions, and the quality of exports. Utilizing a decade of provincial data from China, we employ spatial econometric models to dissect the nexus among these factors. Our analysis reveals a significant spatial dependency linking export quality with environmental pollution, indicating that increases in inter-regional trade costs not only degrade export quality within a region but also influence neighboring provinces. Pollution emissions emerge as a critical mediator in this relationship. Specifically, we find that interprovincial trade frictions suppress export quality through both direct cost channels and indirect environmental effects, with heterogeneous impacts across enterprise ownership types. These results underscore the significant impact of reducing domestic trade costs on enhancing economic efficiency, minimizing environmental pollution, and improving the quality of exports. By integrating trade cost, environmental burden, and export quality into a unified spatial framework, this study offers novel empirical evidence and contributes methodologically by applying the Spatial Durbin Model to quantify spatial spillover and mediation effects. The findings not only illuminate the interconnected nature of trade dynamics and environmental considerations but also provide compelling evidence that strategic policy interventions in trade can lead to sustainable development. This study contributes to the fields of trade economics and environmental policy, highlighting actionable insights that policymakers can leverage to foster economic growth while protecting the environment.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05558-5
spellingShingle Tongsheng Xu
Xin Yu
Liang Ding
Yating Zhang
Deciphering the nexus of trade frictions, pollution, and export quality
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title Deciphering the nexus of trade frictions, pollution, and export quality
title_full Deciphering the nexus of trade frictions, pollution, and export quality
title_fullStr Deciphering the nexus of trade frictions, pollution, and export quality
title_full_unstemmed Deciphering the nexus of trade frictions, pollution, and export quality
title_short Deciphering the nexus of trade frictions, pollution, and export quality
title_sort deciphering the nexus of trade frictions pollution and export quality
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05558-5
work_keys_str_mv AT tongshengxu decipheringthenexusoftradefrictionspollutionandexportquality
AT xinyu decipheringthenexusoftradefrictionspollutionandexportquality
AT liangding decipheringthenexusoftradefrictionspollutionandexportquality
AT yatingzhang decipheringthenexusoftradefrictionspollutionandexportquality