Trends in nontariff barriers of developed countries: 1966-1986

Sam Laird and Alexander Yeats

No 137, Policy Research Working Paper Series from The World Bank

Abstract: While major concerns have been expressed about the spread of non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in developing countries, the lack of empirical information on the dimensions of the increase has affected the related policy debates. Using inventories of NTBs in developed countries compiled for 1966 and 1986, this study develops quantitative information on the major expansions of NTBs that occurred over this 20 year period. The paper finds that in 1966 NTBs affected 25 percent of developed countries imports, while in 1986 this share has increased to 48 percent. A second major point documented in the study is that the spread of NTBs has been uneven across countries and industrial sectors. Third, this study shows that the increased resort to discriminatory NTBs like"voluntary"export restraints (particularly in the U.S.) caused a significantly higher share of trade to be"affected"by NTBs than suggested by commonly used trade coverage ratios. The findings concerning the extent that NTBs have proliferated in some sectors (and countries) also increases the importance of establishing effective procedures for liberalization of these measures in multilateral trade negotiations like the Uruguay Round.

Keywords: Environmental Economics&Policies; TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT; Economic Theory&Research; Trade Policy; Transport and Trade Logistics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 1988-12-31
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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