The Tariff Equivalent and Forgone Trade Effects of Prohibitive Technical Barriers to Trade

36 Pages Posted: 1 May 2008

See all articles by Chengyan Yue

Chengyan Yue

Iowa State University - Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD)

John Beghin

University of Nebraska Lincoln Agricultural Economics; Iowa State University - Department of Economics

Date Written: April 24, 2008

Abstract

We derive a method to econometrically estimate the tariff equivalent and foregone trade effects of a prohibitive technical barrier to trade (TBT) based on Wales and Woodland's Kuhn-Tucker approach to corner solutions in consumer choice. The method overcomes the lack of observed data on bilateral trade flows and accounts for differentiated goods by place of origin. We apply the derived random utility model to international trade in apples to identify the tariff equivalent of prohibitive phytosanitary barriers imposed by Australia on potential imports of New Zealand apples. We estimate the forgone apple trade between the two countries, the implied trade injury imposed by Australia on New Zealand, and the welfare loss to Australia. The removal of the Australian policy would induce net welfare gains around US$50 million annually for Australia.

Keywords: Corner solution, Kuhn-Tucker model, New Zealand apples, nontariff barrier, NTB, prohibitive, random utility, TBT, technical barrier to trade, SPS, phytosanitary

JEL Classification: Q17, F13

Suggested Citation

Yue, Chengyan and Beghin, John, The Tariff Equivalent and Forgone Trade Effects of Prohibitive Technical Barriers to Trade (April 24, 2008). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1127523 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1127523

Chengyan Yue

Iowa State University - Center for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) ( email )

Ames, IA 50011
United States
515-294-6989 (Phone)
515-294-6989 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://google.iastate.edu/search?output=xml_no_dtd&client=default_frontend&proxystylesheet=default_f

John Beghin (Contact Author)

University of Nebraska Lincoln Agricultural Economics ( email )

Lincoln, NE 68583
United States

Iowa State University - Department of Economics ( email )

383 Heady Hall
Ames, IA 50011
United States

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