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Sufficient statistics for tariff reform when revenue matters

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  • Anderson, James E.
  • Neary, J. Peter

Abstract

What kinds of tariff reform are likely to raise welfare in situations where tariff revenue is important? General conditions for welfare to rise without reducing tariff revenue are opaque. We show that they can be greatly simplified using a small number of sufficient statistics, primarily the generalized mean and variance of tariffs. We present sufficient conditions for a class of linear tariff reform rules that guarantee higher welfare without a loss in revenue. The rules consist of convex combinations of (i) trade-weighted-average-tariff-preserving cuts in dispersion; and (ii) uniform tariff cuts that preserve domestic relative prices among tariff-ridden goods.

Suggested Citation

  • Anderson, James E. & Neary, J. Peter, 2016. "Sufficient statistics for tariff reform when revenue matters," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 150-159.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:inecon:v:98:y:2016:i:c:p:150-159
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jinteco.2015.10.001
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    Cited by:

    1. Raimondos, Pascalis & Woodland, Alan, 2018. "Reciprocity in trade negotiations and welfare," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 134-142.
    2. Nikos Tsakiris & Panos Hatzipanayotou & Michael S. Michael, 2019. "Border tax adjustments and tariff‐tax reforms with consumption pollution," Journal of Public Economic Theory, Association for Public Economic Theory, vol. 21(6), pages 1107-1125, December.
    3. Lippi, Francesco & Alvarez, Fernando & Ferrara, Andrea & Gautier, Erwan & Le Bihan, Hervé, 2021. "Empirical Investigation of a Sufficient Statistic for Monetary Shocks," CEPR Discussion Papers 16626, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Trade policy reform; Generalized mean and variance of tariffs; Tariff revenue; Piecemeal policy reform;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • H21 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Efficiency; Optimal Taxation

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