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2004•RePEc: Research Papers in EconomicsRequires access

The Trade Liberalization Effects of Regional Trade Agreements

Volker Nitsch, Daniel Sturm

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Abstract

Recent research suggests that membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its predecessor the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is not associated with more liberal trade policies. In this paper, we ask if membership in a regional trade agreement (RTA) helps to liberalize trade. Using 63 trade policy measures, we find that RTA membership has, on average, no measurable effect on a country’s trade policy. We also find considerable differences across RTAs, with member countries in the European Union being significantly more open and less protectionist than members in other RTAs.

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What this paper is about

Recent research suggests that membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its predecessor the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is not associated with more liberal trade policies. In this paper, we ask if membership in a regional trade agreement (RTA) helps to liberalize trade. Using 63 trade policy measures, we find that RTA membership has, on average, no measurable effect on a country’s trade policy. We also find considerable differences across RTAs, with member countries in the European Union being significantly more open and less protectionist than members in other RTAs.

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Available abstract

Recent research suggests that membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its predecessor the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is not associated with more liberal trade policies. In this paper, we ask if membership in a regional trade agreement (RTA) helps to liberalize trade. Using 63 trade policy measures, we find that RTA membership has, on average, no measurable effect on a country’s trade policy. We also find considerable differences across RTAs, with member countries in the European Union being significantly more open and less protectionist than members in other RTAs.

Key concepts: Protectionism, Free trade, International trade, International economics, Regional trade, Commercial policy, Trade barrier, International free trade agreement

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