Conditional versus Unconditional Trade Concessions for Developing Countries

Paola Conconi and Carlo Perroni

ULB Institutional Repository from ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles

Abstract: We consider a small open economy that faces a commitment problem in trade liberalization. We examine how the relationship with a large trading partner affects the ability of the small countrys government to sustain free trade through a reputational mechanism. If the small country’s government is patient enough, it can overcome its domestic commitment without the help of the large country. Unconditional liberalization by the large trading partner has an ambiguous effect on the small countrys dynamic incentives. Liberalization through a reciprocal trade agreement, in which the large country lowers its tariffs conditionally on the small country doing the same, unambiguously dominates unconditional liberalization by the large country as a way of boosting trade reforms and reinforcing policy credibility in the small country. However, if capacity in the import-competing sector can only be re- duced gradually, a conditional, reciprocal agreement may require an asynchronous exchange of concessions, with the large country liberalizing before the small country.

Keywords: Developing Countries; Commitment; Trade Concessions. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012-05
Note: FLWIN
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

Published in: Canadian journal of economics (2012) v.45 n° 2,p.613-631

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Related works:
Journal Article: Conditional versus unconditional trade concessions for developing countries (2012)
Journal Article: Conditional versus unconditional trade concessions for developing countries (2012)
Working Paper: Conditional versus Unconditional Trade Concessions for Developing Countries (2011)
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