Global value chains: A view from the euro area

This paper describes the main features of global value chains (GVC) between the euro area taken as a whole and other large world trade players like the USA, China and Japan, which also operate as monetary unions. In addition, the individual euro area countries' perspective is considered, with a specific focus on intra-area linkages. The analysis is primarily based on the concept of foreign value added in exports, which is suitable to assess the pervasiveness of GVC. The paper uses the World Input-Output Database and covers the period 2000-2011, giving also some information on the sectoral dimension of production linkages. The paper concludes that GVC are important for the euro area as whole and there has been a rebound since the trade collapse in 2009. Moreover, there is a strong relevance of regional production linkages in Europe, with a large role for Germany and Central and Eastern European countries.