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Wage Implications of Trade Liberalisation: Evidence for Effective Policy Formation

Author

Listed:
  • Susan Stone

    (OECD)

  • Ricardo H. Cavazos Cepeda

    (OECD)

Abstract

The relationship between trade and wages has been subject to intense scrutiny in the academic literature with no clear consensus emerging. This paper adds to this body of research by moving beyond the single country analysis level to a panel including developed and developing countries and data through the mid 2000.s. First we examine the relationship between wages and trade using the approach of Feenstra and Hanson to calculate mandated wage changes for our dataset. We find that imports have a significant and positive impact on wages while the sign on tariffs is negative and significant. We also look at the relationship of wage differentials at the occupation level between partner countries. We find that the difference in occupation wage is smaller for large trade partners. Finally, we discuss the potential role of NTMs in influencing the wage and trade relationship.

Suggested Citation

  • Susan Stone & Ricardo H. Cavazos Cepeda, 2011. "Wage Implications of Trade Liberalisation: Evidence for Effective Policy Formation," OECD Trade Policy Papers 122, OECD Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:oec:traaab:122-en
    DOI: 10.1787/5kg3r80brt9n-en
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robert C. Feenstra & Gordon H. Hanson, 1999. "The Impact of Outsourcing and High-Technology Capital on Wages: Estimates For the United States, 1979–1990," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 114(3), pages 907-940.
    2. Attanasio, Orazio & Goldberg, Pinelopi K. & Pavcnik, Nina, 2004. "Trade reforms and wage inequality in Colombia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 74(2), pages 331-366, August.
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    13. Susan Stone & Ricardo H. Cavazos Cepeda & Anna Jankowska, 2011. "The Role of Factor Content in Trade: Have Changes in Factor Endowments Been Reflected in Trade Patterns and on Relative Wages?," OECD Trade Policy Papers 109, OECD Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rafal Kierzenkowski & Isabell Koske, 2012. "Less Income Inequality and More Growth – Are they Compatible? Part 8. The Drivers of Labour Income Inequality – A Literature Review," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 931, OECD Publishing.
    2. Rajesh Raj S.N. & Subash Sasidharan, 2015. "Impact of Foreign Trade on Employment and Wages in Indian Manufacturing," South Asia Economic Journal, Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka, vol. 16(2), pages 209-232, September.
    3. Isabell Koske & Jean-Marc Fournier & Isabelle Wanner, 2012. "Less Income Inequality and More Growth – Are They Compatible? Part 2. The Distribution of Labour Income," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 925, OECD Publishing.
    4. Feiyang Shi, 2025. "Import shock and local labour market outcomes: A Sino-Indian case study," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 68(2), pages 915-962, February.
    5. Rafal Kierzenkowski & Isabell Koske, 2013. "The Drivers Of Labor Income Inequality — A Literature Review," Journal of International Commerce, Economics and Policy (JICEP), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 4(01), pages 1-32.
    6. Feiyang Shi, 2022. "Import Shock and Local Labour Market Outcomes: A Sino-Indian Case Study," IHEID Working Papers 04-2022, Economics Section, The Graduate Institute of International Studies.
    7. Vickie Siew Hoon Yew & Abul Quasem Al-Amin & Evelyn S. Devadason, 2020. "Labour Market Effects of Non-tariff Measures: A Computable General Equilibrium for the Food Processing Sector in Malaysia," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 63(3), pages 629-656, September.

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    JEL classification:

    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions

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