Abstract: Based on the GTAP8 database, the global multi-regional input-output (MRIO) tables for the year of 2004 and 2007 were established. The production-based and consumption-based CO₂ emissions of China, the United States, EU and Japan were calculated and the carbon embodied in foreign trade of China, the United States, EU and Japan were analyzed. The features of carbon embodied in bilateral trade of China-USA, China-EU and China-Japan were also compared. In 2004 and 2007, the production-based CO₂ emission is 15% higher than the consumption-based CO₂ emission for China, but the production-based CO₂ emission is 5% lower than the consumption-based CO₂ emission for the United States, EU and Japan. China is a net exporter of embodied carbon whereas the other three are net importers of embodied carbon. The top three industries with highest carbon emission embodied in export of China are equipment manufacturing industry, textiles and apparel industry, and other manufacturing industry, but the top three industries with highest carbon emission embodied in exports of the United States and EU are equipment manufacturing industry, transportation, and petrochemical. The carbon emission embodied in export of Japan is highly concentrated on equipment manufacturing industry.

Key words: GTAP, MRIO, international trade, embodied carbon