Findings of Empirical Studies of Nontariff Barriers

This chapter reviews and evaluates findings of previous studies that derived empirical information on the application and incidence of nontariff barriers. Given the basic differences in their methodological approaches, the results of previous ‘inventory’ studies are examined separately from analyses that estimated quantity or price impact measures for nontariff barriers. The review draws upon the theoretical foundation for quantification of NTBs developed in Chapter 2 in order to identify biases and other potential problems in these investigations’ empirical results. In addition, the conclusions of several studies that simulated the trade and other economic effects of a nontariff barrier liberalisation are examined since these analyses have important implications for the Uruguay Round negotiations. Here, several representative analyses that approximated the economic costs of trade intervention measures have been included. Too often, nontariff barriers involve a lack of transparency as far as their costs and economic effects are concerned, and by reviewing several relevant studies their importance can be placed in proper perspective.1