North-South Standards Harmonization and International Trade

Olivier Cadot, Fontagné, Lionel and Anne-Célia Disdier
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Lionel Fontagné

No 8767, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: Recent years have seen a surge in regional trade agreements (RTAs) and the development of non-tariff measures (NTMs). As a consequence, a growing number of RTAs include provisions on NTMs. This paper investigates the effect of standards-harmonization clauses contained in many North-South Agreements on international trade. Using a gravity equation, we find that (i) North-South harmonization of technical regulations reinforces a hub-and-spoke trade structure potentially detrimental to the development of South-South trade and (ii) harmonization on regional standards hurts Southern exports to the North. Thus, standards-harmonization provisions included in many recent North-South RTAs miss their target and contribute to marginalize Southern countries in the world economy.

Keywords: Harmonization; Regional trade agreement; South-south trade; Technical regulations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F13 F15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-int
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Related works:
Journal Article: North-South Standards Harmonization and International Trade (2015)
Working Paper: North-South Standards Harmonization and International Trade (2015)
Working Paper: North-South Standards Harmonization and International Trade (2015)
Working Paper: North-South Standards Harmonization and International Trade (2015)
Working Paper: North-South standards harmonization and international trade (2013)
Working Paper: North-South Standards Harmonization and International Trade (2012)
Working Paper: North-South Standards Harmonization and International Trade (2012)
Working Paper: North-South Standards Harmonization and International Trade (2012)
Working Paper: North-South Standards Harmonization and International Trade (2012)
Working Paper: North-South Standards Harmonization and International Trade (2012)
Working Paper: North-South Standards Harmonization and International Trade (2012)
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