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Characterising non-tariff trade policy

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  • Grübler, Julia
  • Reiter, Oliver

Abstract

Since the 1960s, non-tariff measures (NTMs) have been continuously replacing tariffs as the core element of trade negotiations. In the 21st century, they take centre stage in all EU trade agreements with industrialised and emerging economies. By matching product codes to the rich data of NTM notifications to the World Trade Organization and merging information provided by the Temporary Trade Barriers Database, we provide a valuable open data source for trade policy analysis. Using data for 148 NTM-imposing economies for the period 1995-2019, we describe the evolution of NTMs across countries and sectors, with a special focus on NTMs implemented by the EU. The analysis of our data shows the merits and shortcomings of the WTO’s service in providing transparency of members’ trade policies.

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  • Grübler, Julia & Reiter, Oliver, 2021. "Characterising non-tariff trade policy," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 138-163.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:71:y:2021:i:c:p:138-163
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2021.04.007
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    4. David J. Kuenzel, 2023. "Non‐tariff measures: What's tariffs got to do with it?," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 56(1), pages 133-163, February.
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    6. Kelvin Balcombe & Dylan Bradley & Iain Fraser, 2021. "Consumer Preferences for Chlorine Washed Chicken, Attitudes to Brexit and Trade Agreements," Studies in Economics 2112, School of Economics, University of Kent.
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    8. Balcombe, Kelvin & Bradley, Dylan & Fraser, Iain, 2022. "Consumer preferences for chlorine-washed chicken, attitudes to Brexit and implications for future trade agreements," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    9. Grijalva, Diego F. & Uribe-Terán, Carlos & Gachet, Iván, 2024. "The Contractionary Effects of Protectionist Trade Policy in a Dollarized Economy," IDB Publications (Working Papers) 13358, Inter-American Development Bank.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Non-tariff measures; Trade policy; Trade barriers; Database; Open data; WTO; I-TIP; TTBD;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F68 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Policy
    • O24 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Trade Policy; Factor Movement; Foreign Exchange Policy

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