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Pursuing Environmental and Social Objectives through Trade Agreements

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Listed:
  • Bernard Hoekman
  • Filippo Santi
  • Joseph Francois

Abstract

Using a large dataset covering more than 180 countries and spanning several decades, we employ a SDID estimator to identify the extent to which trade agreements incorporating non-trade provisions (labor standards, environmental protection and civil and political rights) are associated with improvements in corresponding non-trade performance indicators. We distinguish between binding (enforceable) and non-binding provisions in trade agreements, and also control for the allocation of official development assistance targeting these three non-trade policy areas. Overall, the results suggest that efforts made to date to include non-trade provisions in trade agreements have not resulted in consistent desired (better) non-trade outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Bernard Hoekman & Filippo Santi & Joseph Francois, 2022. "Pursuing Environmental and Social Objectives through Trade Agreements," RSCAS Working Papers 2022/73, European University Institute.
  • Handle: RePEc:rsc:rsceui:2022/73
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abman,Ryan Michael & Lundberg,Clark Christopher & Ruta,Michele, 2021. "The Effectiveness of Environmental Provisions in Regional Trade Agreements," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9601, The World Bank.
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    6. Bernard Hoekman & Hugo Rojas-Romagosa, 2022. "EU Trade Sustainability Impact Assessments: Revisiting the Consultation Process," Journal of International Economic Law, Oxford University Press, vol. 25(1), pages 45-60.
    7. Alessandro Ferrari & Matteo Fiorini & Joseph Francois, Bernard Hoekman, Lisa Maria Lechner, Miriam Manchin, Filippo Santi, 2021. "EU Trade Agreements and Non-Trade Policy Objectives," RSCAS Working Papers 2021/48, European University Institute.
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    Cited by:

    1. Basak Bayramoglu & Estelle Gozlan & Clément Nedoncelle & Thibaut Tarabbia, 2023. "Trade Agreements and Sustainable Fisheries [Accords commerciaux et pêche durable]," Working Papers hal-04101044, HAL.
    2. Hoekman, Bernard & Santi, Filippo & Shingal, Anirudh, 2023. "Trade effects of non-economic provisions in trade agreements," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Non-trade policy objectives; trade agreements; trade and environment; trade and human rights; trade and labour rights;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F16 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Labor Market Interactions
    • F17 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Forecasting and Simulation
    • F18 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Environment
    • F35 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Aid
    • O19 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - International Linkages to Development; Role of International Organizations

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