Most computable general equilibrium (CGE) studies assessing the welfare impact of moving from a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to a deeper form of integration, for example a Customs Union (CU), typically proxy the integration as the adoption of a common external tariff towards the rest of the world. However, a CU is also an arrangement that allows for the elimination of FTAs preferential Rules of Origin (ROO), which is typically not captured in CGE studies. The paper addresses this issue using a multi-country, multi-sector dynamic CGE model. Although the removal of distortionary ROO is likely to lower the unit costs of production within North America, it may also deteriorate North American terms of trade with the rest of the world. Thus, the net effect of the removal of NAFTA ROO on welfare is ambiguous and is an empirical issue.
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Paper provided by University of Ottawa, Department of Economics in its series Working Papers with number
0705E.