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Dealing with the Proliferation of Bilateral Trade Agreements: Consolidation, Multilateralization, Harmonization, or Dilution?

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  • Menon, Jayant

    (Asian Development Bank)

Abstract

Bilateral free trade agreements (BTAs) have been proliferating. The outcome of this proliferation of often overlapping BTAs and plurilateral free trade agreements is described as the spaghetti bowl effect or, in the Asian region, the noodle bowl effect. This is costly and welfare-reducing. How should this situation be remedied? This paper evaluates the various options proposed in dealing with the spaghetti bowl. A general limitation of these proposals is their tendency to group all kinds of BTAs together and treat them as a homogeneous group. Thus, the proposals ignore underlying differences in motivation in the formation of BTAs. To overcome this, the paper develops ataxonomy for classifying BTAs by motivation before considering the effectiveness of the different remedies proposed. Each proposal has its pros and cons, and can cater to different types of BTAs. Thus, a combination of the various proposals may be warranted, even in the event of an expeditious and bona fide conclusion to the Doha Round.

Suggested Citation

  • Menon, Jayant, 2008. "Dealing with the Proliferation of Bilateral Trade Agreements: Consolidation, Multilateralization, Harmonization, or Dilution?," ADB Economics Working Paper Series 123, Asian Development Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:adbewp:0123
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    bilateral free trade agreements; noodle bowl effect; proliferation; remedies; spaghetti bowl effect;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F53 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations

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