06.09.2021 Views

International Trade - Theory and Policy, 2010a

International Trade - Theory and Policy, 2010a

International Trade - Theory and Policy, 2010a

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

preferential trade arrangement raises a country’s welfare <strong>and</strong> raises economic efficiency depends on the<br />

extent to which the arrangement causes trade diversion versus trade creation.<br />

<strong>Trade</strong> Creation <strong>and</strong> <strong>Trade</strong> Diversion<br />

In this section, we present an analysis of trade diversion <strong>and</strong> trade creation. The analysis uses a partial<br />

equilibrium framework, which means that we consider the effects of preferential trade liberalization with<br />

respect to a representative industry. Later in the section we consider how the results from the<br />

representative industry cases can be extended to consider trade liberalization that covers all trade sectors.<br />

We assume in each case that there are three countries in the world: Countries A, B, <strong>and</strong> C. Each country<br />

has supply <strong>and</strong> dem<strong>and</strong> for a homogeneous good in the representative industry. Countries A <strong>and</strong> B will<br />

form a free trade area. (Note that trade diversion <strong>and</strong> creation can occur regardless of whether a<br />

preferential trade agreement, a free trade area, or a customs union is formed. For convenience, we’ll refer<br />

to the arrangement as a free trade area [FTA].) The attention in this analysis will be on Country A, one of<br />

the two FTA members. We’ll assume that Country A is a small country in international markets, which<br />

means that it takes international prices as given. Countries B <strong>and</strong> C are assumed to be large countries (or<br />

regions). Thus Country A can export or import as much of a product as desired with Countries B <strong>and</strong> C at<br />

whatever price prevails in those markets.<br />

We assume that if Country A were trading freely with either B or C, it would wish to import the product in<br />

question. However, Country A initially is assumed not to be trading freely. Instead, the country will have<br />

an MFN-specific tariff (i.e., the same tariff against both countries) applied on imports from both<br />

Countries B <strong>and</strong> C.<br />

In each case below, we will first describe an initial tariff-ridden equilibrium. Then, we will calculate the<br />

price <strong>and</strong> welfare effects that would occur in this market if Countries A <strong>and</strong> B form an FTA. When the FTA<br />

is formed, Country A maintains the same tariff against Country C, the non-FTA country.<br />

<strong>Trade</strong> Diversion<br />

In general, a trade diversion means that a free trade area diverts trade away from a more-efficient supplier<br />

outside the FTA <strong>and</strong> toward a less-efficient supplier within the FTA. In some cases, trade diversion will<br />

reduce a country’s national welfare, but in some cases national welfare could improve despite the trade<br />

diversion. We present both cases below.<br />

Saylor URL: http://www.saylor.org/books<br />

Saylor.org<br />

514

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!