Intensity of establishment of trade relations of the USSR with the world during the governance of J. V. Stalin until the beginning of the Second World War

Abstract

Trade policy of the Soviet Union during the governance of J. V. Stalin moved in the direction of opening up to the world, which was somewhat atypical for the political regimes of that time. By emphasizing the establishment and development of trade relations with countries around the world, the Soviet leader enabled a more adequate use of the comparative advantages of the Soviet country and the reduction of the shortcomings accumulated during the previous years, which represented an obstacle to success. Abandoning such an autarkic system in conducting the country's foreign trade policy, which was in force before Stalin's arrival, made it possible to realize fruitful trade cooperation with countries with similar or diametrically different economic systems without much effort. The country's progress in conducting foreign trade policy led to positive changes in the product structure of Soviet exports (and imports), which could best be seen through the qualitative and quantitative presentation of goods and services of Soviet origin, which were placed on foreign markets starting from the period before the beginning of the Second World War. All this led to a better position of the Soviet country on the international stage, which enabled greater power in deciding crucial issues concerning world trade.