Motivated by discussions in the World Trade Organization (WTO) on multilateral disciplines with respect to competition law, we develop a two-country model that explores the incentives of a less-developed country (LDC) to offer increased market access (via a tariff reduction) in exchange for a ban on foreign export cartels by its developed country (DC) trading partner. We show that such a bargain is feasible and can generate a globally welfare maximizing outcome. We also explore the incentives for bilateral cooperation when the LDC uses transfers to ‘pay’ for competition enforcement by the DC. A comparison of the two cases shows that there exist circumstances in which the stick (i.e. the tariff) is more effective in sustaining bilateral cooperation than the carrot (i.e. the transfer). Furthermore, the scope for cooperation is maximized when both instruments are utilized. An implication of the analysis is that LDCs have incentives not to bind tariffs in the absence of an explicit WTO prohibition of export cartels.
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Paper provided by C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers in its series CEPR Discussion Papers with number
4110.
Find related papers by JEL classification: F12 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Models of Trade with Imperfect Competition and Scale Economies F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
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