Optimal monetary rules and internationalized production

This paper explores the implications of international location of production for the optimal design of monetary policy in a framework that allows for price discrimination across international markets. By introducing multinational production in a dynamic open economy, the paper shows that optimal monetary rules do not react to foreign cyclical conditions. The paper further shows that non-cooperative monetary rules cannot restore the flexible price allocation while international monetary cooperation can do so. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.