How serious is the omission of bilateral tariff rates in gravity?

Kazunobu Hayakawa

Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, 2013, vol. 27, issue C, 81-94

Abstract: This paper presents a constructed dataset of worldwide bilateral tariff rates to explore the seriousness of omitting bilateral tariff rates from gravity equations. Results indicate, first, that omitting bilateral tariff rates presents no serious issue related to the omitted variable bias because coefficients for the usual gravity variables remain unchanged before and after their inclusion. Second, the widely used dummy variable for regional trade agreements is not a statistical substitute for tariff rates because the coefficient for bilateral tariff rates remains significant even if it is included. Similarly, time-invariant pair fixed effects alongside time-variant importer and exporter fixed effects do not substitute statistically for omitted tariff rates.

Keywords: Gravity equation; Tariff rates; Free trade agreement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F10 F15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Working Paper: How serious is the omission of bilateral tariff rates in gravity? (2011)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jjieco:v:27:y:2013:i:c:p:81-94

DOI: 10.1016/j.jjie.2013.01.002

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