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Trade Policy with Heterogeneous Traders: Do Quotas Get a Bum Rap?

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  • Kala Krishna
  • Ling H. Tan

Abstract

This paper considers the effects of trade policy--tariffs and quotas--when importing is done by competitive traders who are identical ex ante but differ ex post. We show that the standard equivalence results no longer hold and the conventional ranking of tariffs and quotas is turned on its head: quotas are not as bad for welfare as previously believed, while tariffs may restrict trade by more than originally intended. Furthermore, the allocation of property rights (quota licenses) has real effects beyond the distribution of rents; this, in turn, has implications for the effects of corruption on welfare.

Suggested Citation

  • Kala Krishna & Ling H. Tan, 2007. "Trade Policy with Heterogeneous Traders: Do Quotas Get a Bum Rap?," NBER Working Papers 13040, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:13040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F1 - International Economics - - Trade
    • F18 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Environment

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