The Role of Tariff and Non-tariff Trade Barriers in the Global Forest Products Trade
Author: Lili Sun
Publisher:
Published: 2010
Total Pages: 36
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKNumerous previous studies have examined the economic impacts of trade measures on forest product markets. Most have focussed on either tariffs or rather obvious quantitative measures such as import or export quota restrictions. There is growing concern about the impact of the far less obvious non-tariff trade measures on the global forest product sector. The objective of this study is to fill a gap, and to estimate trade and economic impacts of nontariff barriers and compare them to the impacts of tariffs. A database of ad valorem equivalent estimates for a set of well-defined non-tariff trade restrictions is incorporated into a global forest products trade model. Non-tariff barriers are found to be less common than tariffs but are found to have similar or bigger aggregate impacts than tariffs do on trade, production, producer revenues, consumer expenditures, and value added. Impacts of reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers are often different across regions and products. Our results underscore the importance of analysing both types of trade policy and the need for continuing comprehensive trade liberalization.