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Third-Country Effects of Regional Trade Agreements : A Firm-Level Analysis

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  • Lee,Woori
  • Mulabdic,Alen
  • Ruta,Michele

Abstract

Do regional trade agreements negatively impact non-members? This paper revisits this long-standing trade policy question using firm-level data and detailed information on the content of trade agreements. Differently from the conventional view on trade diversion, the analysis identifies a positive spillover effect of regional trade agreements: they increase the probability of export and entry of third-country firms that previously exported to one of the member countries. This spillover effect is driven by deeper trade agreements, as they make member countries more"similar"in terms of the regulatory environment. Indeed, firms exporting regulation-intensive products benefit disproportionately more from deep trade agreements in destination markets, especially if the agreement includes nondiscriminatory provisions and addresses regulatory issues.

Suggested Citation

  • Lee,Woori & Mulabdic,Alen & Ruta,Michele, 2019. "Third-Country Effects of Regional Trade Agreements : A Firm-Level Analysis," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9064, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:9064
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    Cited by:

    1. Matteo Neri-Lainé & Gianluca Orefice & Michele Ruta, 2023. "Deep Trade Agreements and Heterogeneous Firms Exports," CESifo Working Paper Series 10436, CESifo.
    2. Essotanam Mamba & Afi Balaki, 2023. "Deep regional trade agreement as a driver for global value chains in Africa: the case of ECOWAS region," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 2037-2068, June.
    3. Kevin Lefebvre & Nadia Rocha & Michele Ruta, 2023. "Containing Chinese state-owned enterprises? The role of deep trade agreements," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 159(4), pages 887-920, November.
    4. Dong, Weijian & Chen, Kanxiang & Liu, Xiaojun, 2023. "Role of regional trade agreements in enhancing investments in mineral resources projects in ASEAN," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    International Trade and Trade Rules; Energy and Mining; Trade Policy; Adaptation to Climate Change; Trade and Multilateral Issues;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F10 - International Economics - - Trade - - - General
    • 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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