Mask wars: Sourcing a critical medical product from China in times of COVID-19
研究新冠疫情初期全球口罩需求激增时，政治因素如何影响中国口罩出口，发现国家与地方层面的政治关系（尤其是与中国的省级联系）显著促进了出口增长，姐妹城市关系还有助于缓解早期价格上涨。
The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically heightened global demand for critical medical goods, with China being a key supplier. This paper examines the political factors that eased global access to face masks, a vital product during the initial phase of the pandemic. Employing a triple difference-in-differences event study framework, we compare the export dynamics of face masks with those of similar products. Our findings indicate that face mask prices surged after the outbreak of the pandemic, and China’s exports increased in response. Amid global shortages, political alignment at the national and subnational levels, particularly through political ties with Chinese provinces, played a significant role in driving the increase in China’s face mask exports to partner countries. These political connections contributed to export growth at both the extensive and intensive margins. Moreover, sister city relationships appear to have assisted in mitigating the early price increases.