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The MFN clause, welfare, and multilateral cooperation between countries of unequal size

In: Economic Analysis of the Rules and Regulations of the World Trade Organization

Author

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  • Kamal Saggi

Abstract

This paper analyzes MFN in a “competing exporters” model of trade between three countries with unequal endowments and shows that MFN yields higher aggregate welfare than tariff discrimination even as it makes low income countries worse off. Furthermore, in a repeated game of tariff cooperation, multilateral free trade is easier to sustain under MFN punishments relative to discriminatory ones. This conclusion holds even when tariff discrimination takes the form of bilateral trade agreements. Overall, the analysis shows that from the viewpoint of low income countries, MFN and multilateral tariff cooperation are complementary in nature.

Suggested Citation

  • Kamal Saggi, 2018. "The MFN clause, welfare, and multilateral cooperation between countries of unequal size," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: Kamal Saggi (ed.), Economic Analysis of the Rules and Regulations of the World Trade Organization, chapter 14, pages 312-323, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    • Handle: RePEc:wsi:wschap:9789813233058_0014
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    Cited by:

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    2. Yanase, Akihiko & Tsubuku, Masafumi, 2022. "Trade costs and free trade agreements: Implications for tariff complementarity and welfare," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 23-37.
    3. Rodney D. Ludema & Anna Maria Mayda, 2010. "Do Terms-of-Trade Effects Matter for Trade Agreements? Evidence from WTO Countries," Development Working Papers 293, Centro Studi Luca d'Agliano, University of Milano.
    4. Kangsik Choi & Seonyoung Lim, 2023. "Sequential tariffs with increasing marginal costs," Manchester School, University of Manchester, vol. 91(4), pages 336-360, July.
    5. Hong-Ren Din & Kuang-Cheng Andy Wang & Wen-Jung Liang, 2016. "MFN vs Tariff Discrimination in the Presence of Cross Ownership," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(5), pages 1149-1166, November.
    6. Edwin L.-C. Lai, 2008. "The most-favored nation rule in club enlargement negotiation," Working Papers 0815, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
    7. Ki‐Dong Lee & Kangsik Choi, 2024. "Uniform versus discriminatory tariffs when competition mode is endogenous," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 76(1), pages 95-120, January.
    8. Paul Missios & Halis Murat Yildiz, 2017. "Do SouthSouth preferential trade agreements undermine the prospects for multilateral free trade?," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 50(1), pages 111-161, February.
    9. Euan MacMillan, 2014. "Explaining rising regionalism and failing multilateralism: consensus decision-making and expanding WTO membership," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 11(4), pages 599-617, December.
    10. Lee, Ki-Dong & Choi, Kangsik, 2023. "Optimal tariffs with endogenous vertical structure: Uniform versus discriminatory tariffs," Mathematical Social Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 35-50.
    11. Emily J. Blanchard & Chad P. Bown & Robert C. Johnson, 2016. "Global Supply Chains and Trade Policy," NBER Working Papers 21883, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    12. Kym Anderson, 2016. "Contributions Of The Gatt/Wto To Global Economic Welfare: Empirical Evidence," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 56-92, February.
    13. Kamal Saggi & Woan Foong Wong & Halis Murat Yildiz, 2017. "Preferential Trade Agreements and Rules of the Multilateral Trading System," Working Papers 067, Toronto Metropolitan University, Department of Economics.

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    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations

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