China and WTO liberalization: Imports, tariffs and non-tariff barriers

Michele Imbruno

China Economic Review, 2016, vol. 38, issue C, 222-237

Abstract: This paper explores the effectiveness of different trade policy instruments on product-level Chinese imports over the period of 2000–2006. More specifically, in addition to the declines in tariffs, we investigate the impact on imports of the gradual removal of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) as agreed within the WTO's accession protocol in 2001 (such as import quotas, licenses and tendering requirements). We document that while manufacturing imports mainly increase because of tariff cuts, agricultural imports grow due to the elimination of import licenses. However, we provide evidence that quota elimination is associated with a redistribution of imports along a larger range of countries, whereas tendering liberalization is connected to an import reallocation from OECD to non-OECD countries. Finally, we also find that NTB protection is complementary to tariff protection and discriminating against foreign-owned manufacturing firms.

Keywords: WTO liberalization; Tariffs; Non-tariff barriers; Imports; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F13 F14 F15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (27)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:chieco:v:38:y:2016:i:c:p:222-237

DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2016.02.001

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