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Substitution Effects Between Agricultural Tariffs and SPS Measures: Evidence from the Structural Characteristics of Measures

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  • Ruihua Zhang

    (College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China)

  • Xiaoqian Zhang

    (School of Finance, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu 611130, China)

Abstract

The continuous reduction in agricultural tariffs alongside the rising number of SPS notifications indicates potential substitution effects between these two trade policies. While SPS measures are vital for ensuring food safety and protecting animal and plant health, importing countries may use them to offset trade losses caused by tariff reductions, posing risks of trade restrictions. This study goes beyond prior research by considering the structural characteristics of SPS measures to examine the relationship between agricultural tariffs and different SPS measure types. The findings reveal significant substitution effects between applied tariffs and various types of SPS measures, with customs procedure-related SPS measures exhibiting a stronger substitution relationship with tariffs. Heterogeneity analysis shows that higher levels of economic development and food safety regulation are positively associated with the probability of importing countries substituting tariffs with SPS measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruihua Zhang & Xiaoqian Zhang, 2025. "Substitution Effects Between Agricultural Tariffs and SPS Measures: Evidence from the Structural Characteristics of Measures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-23, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:7933-:d:1741347
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