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Tariffs, Employment and the Current Account : The Role of Real Wage Resistance

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  • van Wijnbergen, S

Abstract

Using a standard complete specialization model of a small open economy within a rigorous intertemporal optimization framework with contract-based wage rigidity, we show that permanent tariffs lead to a current account deterioration and a fall in employment, contradicting most of the literature on macro-economic effects of import tariffs. The crucial factor in this complete reversal of standard results is the impact of tariffs on domestic real product wages via wage indexation. Temporary tariffs will have less of a negative impact on the CA or potentially even a positive impact, because they increase the consumption rate of interest (the terms at which future consumption can be traded for current consumption) and so increase private savings. Extensions towards incorporating a more general production structure, investment and the use of tariff revenues to provide wage subsidies are presented.

Suggested Citation

  • van Wijnbergen, S, 1984. "Tariffs, Employment and the Current Account : The Role of Real Wage Resistance," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 248, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:wrk:warwec:248
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    File URL: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/research/workingpapers/1978-1988/twerp248.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael Mussa, 1984. "The Adjustment Process and the Timing of Trade Liberalization," NBER Working Papers 1458, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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