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The Clash of Liberalizations: Preferential versus Multilateral Trade Liberalization in the European Union

Author Info

  • Baybars Karacaovali

    (Fordham University, Department of Economics)

  • Nuno Limao

    (University of Maryland, Department of Economics; NBER; CEPR)

Abstract

Preferential trade agreements (PTAs) are characterized by liberalization with respect to only a few partners and thus they can potentially clash with, and retard multilateral trade liberalization (MTL). Yet there is almost no systematic evidence on whether the numerous existing PTAs actually affect MTL. We provide a model showing that PTAs hinder MTL unless they entail accession to a customs union with internal transfers. Using product-level tariffs negotiated by the European Union (EU) in the last two multilateral trade rounds we find that several of its PTAs have clashed with its MTL. However, this effect is absent for EU accessions. Moreover, we provide new evidence on the political economy determinants of trade policy in the EU.

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Paper provided by Fordham University, Department of Economics in its series Fordham Economics Discussion Paper Series with number dp2008-02.

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Date of creation: 2008
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Handle: RePEc:frd:wpaper:dp2008-02
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Keywords: Preferential trade agreements; customs unions; multilateral trade negotiations; MNF tariff concessions; reciprocity;

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Find related papers by JEL classification:
  • D78 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Positive Analysis of Policy Formulation and Implementation
  • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
  • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade
  • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration

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Cited by:

  1. Tobias Ketterer & Daniel Bernhofen & Chris Milner, . "Preferences, Rent Destruction and Multilateral Liberalisation: The Building Block Effect of CUSFTA," Discussion Papers 12/09, University of Nottingham, GEP.
  2. Nuno Limao, 2006. "Preferential Trade Agreements as Stumbling Blocks for Multilateral Trade Liberalization: Evidence for the United States," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(3), pages 896-914, June.
  3. Calvo-Pardo, Hector & Freund, Caroline & Ornelas, Emanuel, 2009. "The ASEAN free trade agreement : impact on trade flows and external trade barriers," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4960, The World Bank.
  4. Baybars Karacaovali, 2013. "Trade-Diverting Free Trade Agreements, External Tariffs, and Feasibility," Working Papers 201321, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Economics.
  5. Baybars Karacaovali, 2015. "Varying Political Economy Weights of Protection: The Case of Colombia," Economics and Politics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(2), pages 290-312, 07.
  6. Seidmann, Daniel J., 2009. "Preferential trading arrangements as strategic positioning," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(1), pages 143-159, September.
  7. Tobias D. Ketterer, 2015. "EU Regionalism and External Tariff Protection: The Role of Initial Tariffs and the Heterogeneity of Preferential Market Access," Discussion Papers 2015-03, University of Nottingham, GEP.
  8. Paul Missios & Halis Murat Yildiz, 2013. "Do South-South Preferential Trade Agreements Undermine the Prospects for Multilateral Free Trade?," Working Papers 045, Ryerson University, Department of Economics, revised Feb 2015.
  9. Kyle Handley & Nuno Limão, 2012. "Trade and Investment under Policy Uncertainty: Theory and Firm Evidence," NBER Working Papers 17790, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
  10. Chad P. Bown & Meredith Crowley, 2016. "The Empirical Landscape of Trade Policy," Cambridge Working Papers in Economics 1624, Faculty of Economics, University of Cambridge.

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