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From Protectionism to Regionalism: Multinational Firms and Trade-Related Investment Measures

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  • Chase Kerry A.

    (Tufts University)

Abstract

Trade-related investment measures (TRIMs) have been a key issue in regional and multilateral trade negotiations, but they have received little attention in theoretical work to date. This article analyzes the political economy of TRIMs to illuminate why regional arrangements have been a popular framework for eliminating them. The main argument is that multinational firms often demand safeguards when TRIMs are being liberalized, particularly if they have large sunk costs due to asset specificity. In general, regional arrangements are better equipped than multilateral rules to incorporate the safeguards these firms demand: regionalism requires governments to make binding commitments, and it creates opportunities to discriminate against outsiders. A case study of lobbying by U.S. companies with FDI in Canada from the early twentieth century to the negotiation of the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement illustrates these points. The article concludes that regional arrangements are likely to remain more active, and more successful, than multilateral discussions in managing the commitment problems inherent in liberalizing TRIMs.

Suggested Citation

  • Chase Kerry A., 2004. "From Protectionism to Regionalism: Multinational Firms and Trade-Related Investment Measures," Business and Politics, De Gruyter, vol. 6(2), pages 1-38, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:buspol:v:6:y:2004:i:2:n:1
    DOI: 10.2202/1469-3569.1067
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    Cited by:

    1. Innwon Park & Soonchan Park, 2008. "Reform Creating Regional Trade Agreements And Foreign Direct Investment: Applications For East Asia," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(5), pages 550-566, December.
    2. Postigo, Antonio, 2014. "Liberalisation and Protection under Overlapping Free Trade Agreements: Dynamic Interplay between Free Trade Agreements and Investment," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 37(11), pages 1612-1633.
    3. Antonio Postigo, 2014. "Liberalisation and Protection under Overlapping Free Trade Agreements: Dynamic Interplay between Free Trade Agreements and Investment," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(11), pages 1612-1633, November.

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