The Design of Trade Agreements
91 Pages Posted: 21 Mar 2016 Last revised: 7 Nov 2024
Date Written: March 2016
Abstract
What does economics have to say about the design of international trade agreements? We review a literature on this question, providing detailed coverage on three key design features of the GATT/WTO: reciprocity, nondiscrimination as embodied in the MFN principle, and tariff bindings and binding "overhang." Each of these features is central to the design of the GATT/WTO, and we argue that an economic perspective can go a long way toward revealing a consistent logic to the inclusion of these design features in trade agreements.
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation
Bagwell, Kyle and Staiger, Robert W., The Design of Trade Agreements (March 2016). NBER Working Paper No. w22087, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2752292
Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?
Feedback
Feedback to SSRN
If you need immediate assistance, call 877-SSRNHelp (877 777 6435) in the United States, or +1 212 448 2500 outside of the United States, 8:30AM to 6:00PM U.S. Eastern, Monday - Friday.