Regulatory Protectionism, Developing Nations and a Two-Tier World Trade System

Richard Baldwin

No 2574, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: ?Regulatory protection? or technical barriers to trade (TBT) are two names for the myriad of cost-raising, behind-the-border measures that substantially inhibit trade. This paper argues that TBTs are important and their liberalization will continue. This liberalization will involve ?hegemonic harmonization? or mutual recognition of rules and test. Such liberalization will almost surely entail preferential arrangements among rich nations, creating in essence, a two-tier system of market access with developing nations in the second tier. Importantly, this discrimination will be higher for advanced products (which are naturally subject to more regulations and standards), so the discrimination may have an 'escalating' feature, much as tariffs did in the early post-war period. Consequently, the WTO should address the potentially discriminatory aspects of regional TBT liberalization initiatives. In particular, rules of origin should not be allowed.

Keywords: Standards; Wto reform; Technical barriers to trade (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F13 F15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2000-10
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (107)

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