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Threats or Promises?: A Simple Explanation of Gradual Trade Liberalization

Author

Listed:
  • Taiji Furusawa

    (Graduate School of Economics, Hitotsubashi University, Japan)

  • Takashi Kamihigashi

    (Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration (RIEB), Kobe University, Japan)

Abstract

We analyze a infinitely repeated tariff-setting game by two large countries with alternating moves. We focus on the subgame perfect equilibria in which each country chooses its tariff according to a stationary function of the other country's tariff. We show that there are many equilibria with two steady states, one with higher tariffs (but still lower than the static Nash tariffs), the other with lower tariffs. We also show that there is a special class of equilibria in which there exists a unique, globally stable steady state. In both types of equilibria, one country unilaterally reduces its tariff from the static Nash equilibrium, the other country reciprocates in response to the first country's implicit "promise" to lower its tariff even further, and this process continues forever, converging to a steady state with tariffs lower than the static Nash tariffs. Therefore it is promises, rather than threats, that induce the countries to gradually reduce their tariffs.

Suggested Citation

  • Taiji Furusawa & Takashi Kamihigashi, 2010. "Threats or Promises?: A Simple Explanation of Gradual Trade Liberalization," Discussion Paper Series DP2010-34, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    • Handle: RePEc:kob:dpaper:dp2010-34
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    File URL: https://www.rieb.kobe-u.ac.jp/academic/ra/dp/English/DP2010-34.pdf
    File Function: Revised version, 2010
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations

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