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Potential Pareto-Improving Move Toward Most Favored Nation Tariffs

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  • Sajal Lahiri
  • Peri Silva

Abstract

We use a multi-country asymmetric oligopolistic framework for segmented markets to study the welfare effects of reducing tariff discriminations - which we call a move towards Most Favored Nation tariffs. Both unilateral and multilateral reforms are considered. We investigate this issue under different scenarios such as when initial tariffs are arbitrary and when they are optimal. Conditions under which such harmonizations are potentially Paretoimproving are derived. We also analyze the effects on individual countries.
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  • Sajal Lahiri & Peri Silva, 2016. "Potential Pareto-Improving Move Toward Most Favored Nation Tariffs," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 54(2), pages 1086-1104, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:54:y:2016:i:2:p:1086-1104
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    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • F11 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Neoclassical Models of Trade
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations

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