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Characterising non-tariff trade policy

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  • Grübler, Julia
  • Reiter, Oliver

Abstract

Since the 1960s, non-tariff measures (NTMs) have been continuously replacing tariffs as the core element of trade negotiations. In the 21st century, they take centre stage in all EU trade agreements with industrialised and emerging economies. By matching product codes to the rich data of NTM notifications to the World Trade Organization and merging information provided by the Temporary Trade Barriers Database, we provide a valuable open data source for trade policy analysis. Using data for 148 NTM-imposing economies for the period 1995-2019, we describe the evolution of NTMs across countries and sectors, with a special focus on NTMs implemented by the EU. The analysis of our data shows the merits and shortcomings of the WTO’s service in providing transparency of members’ trade policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Grübler, Julia & Reiter, Oliver, 2021. "Characterising non-tariff trade policy," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 138-163.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:71:y:2021:i:c:p:138-163
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2021.04.007
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    3. Julia Grübler & Oliver Reiter, 2020. "Non-tariff Trade Policy Analysis: An Ex-post Assessment of the EU-Korea Agreement," wiiw Working Papers 182, The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, wiiw.
    4. Stender, Frederik & Vogel, Tim, 2021. "Murky trade waters: Regional tariff commitments and non-tariff measures in Africa," IDOS Discussion Papers 13/2021, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    5. Balcombe, Kelvin & Bradley, Dylan & Fraser, Iain, 2022. "Consumer preferences for chlorine-washed chicken, attitudes to Brexit and implications for future trade agreements," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C).
    6. Zolfaghari, Mehdi, 2023. "How does US tariff policy affect the relationship among crude oil, the US dollar and metal markets?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    7. Mattos, Enlinson & Bressan, Rafael, 2022. "Nontariff barriers, trading companies and customs duties evasion," Textos para discussão 560, FGV EESP - Escola de Economia de São Paulo, Fundação Getulio Vargas (Brazil).
    8. Kelvin Balcombe & Dylan Bradley & Iain Fraser, 2021. "Consumer Preferences for Chlorine Washed Chicken, Attitudes to Brexit and Trade Agreements," Studies in Economics 2112, School of Economics, University of Kent.
    9. Zhao, Xin & Calvin, Katherine V. & Wise, Marshall A. & Iyer, Gokul, 2021. "The role of global agricultural market integration in multiregional economic modeling: Using hindcast experiments to validate an Armington model," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 1-17.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Non-tariff measures; Trade policy; Trade barriers; Database; Open data; WTO; I-TIP; TTBD;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
    • F68 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Policy
    • O24 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Trade Policy; Factor Movement; Foreign Exchange Policy

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