The Politics of Free Trade Agreements

52 Pages Posted: 12 Jun 2000 Last revised: 25 Jul 2022

See all articles by Gene M. Grossman

Gene M. Grossman

Princeton University - Princeton School of Public and International Affairs; Princeton University - Department of Economics; CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Elhanan Helpman

Harvard University - Department of Economics; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)

Date Written: December 1993

Abstract

Suppose that an opportunity arises for two countries to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA). Will an FTA between these countries be politically viable? And if so, what form will it take? We address these questions using a political-economy framework that emphasizes the interaction between industry special interest groups and an incumbent government. We describe the economic conditions necessary for an FTA to be an equilibrium outcome, both for the case when the agreement must cover all bilateral trade and when a few, politically sensitive sectors can be excluded from the agreement.

Suggested Citation

Grossman, Gene M. and Helpman, Elhanan, The Politics of Free Trade Agreements (December 1993). NBER Working Paper No. w4597, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=226765

Gene M. Grossman (Contact Author)

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Elhanan Helpman

Harvard University - Department of Economics ( email )

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