Willem Thorbecke

Willem Thorbecke is a Senior Fellow at the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI), Japan, specializing in International Economics and Monetary Economics. He previously held roles as an Associate Professor (1996-2009) and Assistant Professor (1988-1996) at George Mason University, and was a Senior Research Fellow at the Asian Development Bank Institute (2009-2011). He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from UC Berkeley in 1988 and was a Visiting Scholar at Yale University in 1985-86.

His research focuses on global value chains, exchange rates, and Asian development, with recent projects analyzing the impact of exchange rates on firms in Japan and Europe, semiconductor industry dynamics, and oil price effects on economies. He has led RIETI projects on East Asian production networks and trade imbalances since 2006. Thorbecke is a 2020 FFJ/Banque de France Chair laureate, studying exchange rate effects on firm profitability and exports.

Key research themes include the evolving sophistication of Asian exports, the diminishing role of exchange rates in China's trade dynamics, and geopolitical influences on semiconductor supply chains. His work bridges theoretical models with empirical analysis, often using stock market data to assess economic shocks.

Thorbecke’s publications span journals like the Journal of the Japanese and International Economies and Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, with over 150 articles. His recent work highlights challenges for Japan’s semiconductor industry and the strategic importance of global value chain resilience. He has advised policymakers on rebalancing trade and addressing global imbalances through coordinated exchange rate policies.