Exports In A Tariff Free Environment

How do countries enhance their exports of goods in a largely tariff-free environment? Our investigation of export performance of new member states in the European Union single market, which provides a natural control for barrier-free environment, points to the importance of structural reforms, particularly in the areas of higher education, skills upgrade, wage structure’s ability to provide incentives to work and foreign investment environment. In addition, establishing links with supply chains, which in addition to the above-mentioned reforms also depend on better institutions and infrastructure, are important. The analysis in the paper shows that new member states are at varying levels of quality and integration, which highlights the need for country-specific policy priorities. Services trade, which is subject to significant non-tariff barriers in the EU market even after the implementation of the Services Directive, shows considerable room for growth given the comparative advantage of some of the new member states.

Non-tariff measures are generally defined as policy measures other than ordinary customs tariffs that can potentially have an economic effect on international trade in goods, changing quantities traded, or prices or both. Since this definition is broad, a detailed classification is of critical importance so as to better identify and distinguish among the various forms of non-tariff measures. The classification of non-tariff measures presented here is a taxonomy of all those measures considered relevant in international trade today. It builds on an old UNCTAD classification known as the Coding System of Trade Control Measures and was developed by several international organizations forming what is called the MAST group (Multi-Agency Support Team) set up to support the Group of Eminent Persons on Non-tariff Barriers established by the Secretary General of UNCTAD in 2006. The MAST team discussed and proposed this classification, and is composed of: FAO, IMF, ITC, OECD, UNCTAD, UNIDO, World Bank and WTO. The classification is seen as evolving and should adapt to the reality of international trade and data collection needs.

Agriculture, forestry, fisheries, endangered species, transport.

Will NAFTA harm the earth? NAFTA's environmental impact, explored in detailed.

This study provides an overview of approaches to environmental issues in RTAs and summarises country experiences in their negotiation and practical application.

This title was first published in 2002: The interrelationship between international trade and the environment has become the subject of much heated debate. These complex and strong concerns are given voice in this comprehensive and accessible text that brings together the leading journal articles dealing with the fundamental questions about this most important international problem. International Trade and the Environment offers an invaluable source of contemporary international research for all those researching, studying or practicing across the fields of international trade, environmental economics, applied microeconomics and other related areas.