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Tariff uncertainty and firm innovation: Evidence from the U.S.–China Permanent Normal Trade Relation

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  • Chen, Tao
  • Gao, Huasheng
  • Wang, Yuxi

Abstract

We examine the effect of the tariff uncertainty associated with Chinese imports on U.S. firm innovation. Our test exploits the U.S. conferral of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) on China—a policy that reduces the uncertainty of future tariff increases for Chinese goods. We find a significant increase in the number of patents and patent citations for U.S. firms affected by PNTR relative to other firms. This result is stronger for firms with more irreversible investments and for firms that experience a greater increase in Chinese goods following PNTR. Overall, our evidence is consistent with the view that lowering the tariff uncertainty of Chinese imports boosts the attractiveness for U.S. firms to make long-term irreversible investment (such as technological innovation) and thus induces U.S. firms to innovate more.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Tao & Gao, Huasheng & Wang, Yuxi, 2021. "Tariff uncertainty and firm innovation: Evidence from the U.S.–China Permanent Normal Trade Relation," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 12-27.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:empfin:v:62:y:2021:i:c:p:12-27
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jempfin.2021.02.002
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    2. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm, 2023. "Duration of membership in the world trade organization and investment-oriented remittances inflows," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 258-277.
    3. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm, 2022. "Duration of WTO Membership and Investment-Oriented Remittances Flows," EconStor Preprints 251274, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Permanent Normal Trade Relations; Tariff uncertainty; Innovation; Patents; Imports; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives

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