The role of international trade in the new growth theory is investigated from several perspectives. following a historical outline and a brief analytical sketch of the R&D based models, the results from fitting three structural models to data are presented. Results show the relative impacts on growth from trade and R&D based policies including technological spillovers from trade. The mechnaism of inter-sectoral adjustments to the long-run growth path are also discussed. Results from selected econometric studies are reviewed. With emphasis on agriculture, this includes evidence of technological spillovers from trade, the effect of R&D expenditures on growth in total factor productivity, and the extent to which the stock of technological knowledge is accessible by others.