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Abstract This paper aims to discuss and demonstrate the non-tariff challenges to Mercosur’s trade integration. Its Common External Tariff (CET) and exceptions will be discussed, as well as the evolution of its non-tariff protectionism framework in the last three decades. This is an unprecedented exploratory exercise on all 5019 non-tariff measures (NTM) notified by Mercosur members to the WTO from 1995 to 2020. As main results, we see that (i) members with fewer exceptions to the CET are the ones that most use NTMs to protect their markets; (ii) the stock of NTMs targeted at members and non-members varies accordingly; (iii) of the 10 countries most targeted by NTMs imposed by Mercosur members, its own members figure in the 3rd, 4th, 7th, and 8th positions; (iv) the bloc lacks deep regulatory harmonization, especially with regard to sanitary and phytosanitary barriers in 11 sectors. Based on these results, two critical policy action plans are suggested to the bloc. Resumo O presente artigo tem por objetivos discutir e demonstrar os desafios não-tarifários à integração comercial do Mercosul. Serão objetivo de debate a sua tarifa externa comum (TEC) e exceções, bem como a evolução do seu quadro de protecionismo não-tarifário nas últimas três décadas. Trata-se de um exercício exploratório, sem precedentes, sobre todas as 5019 MNTs notificadas pelos membros do Mercosul à OMC entre 1995 e 2020. Como principais resultados, vemos que (i) membros com menos exceções à TEC são os que mais utilizam MNTs para proteger seus mercados; (ii) o estoque de MNTs direcionadas a membros e não-membros varia na mesma medida; (iii) dos 10 países mais alvejados por MNTs impostas por membros Mercosul, seus próprios membros figuram nas posições 3°, 4°, 7° e 8°; (iv) o bloco carece de uma profunda harmonização regulatória, sobretudo no que toca a barreiras sanitárias e fitossanitárias em 11 setores. Com base nesses resultados, são sugeridos dois planos de ação prioritários ao bloco.

This study offers an empirical microlevel analysis of the pass-through effects of the East African Community Common External Tariff on consumer prices in Kenya. Using data from the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Surveys conducted in 2005 and 2015, this research employs a fixed-effects model to estimate pass-through equations. The analysis focuses on consumer prices for agricultural and manufactured goods. It also considers household residential classifications, distinguishing between rural and urban areas, and it investigates the impact of border proximity and transportation costs on the pass-through effect. The findings show that manufactured goods have a significant pass-through effect. A 1% change in tariffs results in a 0.84% change in consumer prices for manufactured goods. However, the pass-through effects for agricultural goods were incomplete, suggesting that markets for manufactured goods are more competitive in Kenya. The study also found that pass-through effects vary depending on proximity to borders and the urban-rural divide.

Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda founded a Customs Union in 2004 and apply a Common External Tariff (CET) on imports to the region. However, the CET has been increasingly destabilized by countries using unilateral exemptions on a wide range of strongly traded goods. This instability undermines progress in regional integration and creates an uneven playing field for business. The article discusses evidence for the influence of interest groups on the observed instability. This study takes a political economy perspective and tracks lobbying behavior from the domestic to the regional level. It looks at the influence of business membership organizations and other interest groups on CET negotiations. The article applies an exploratory, qualitative approach predominantly drawing on data gathered by the author in 25 interviews with experts in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in January 2016.

This paper examines the theory underpinning the design of optimal tariffs in a developing economy, and the experience of implementation of tariff reforms. A central issue is whether and when a case can be made for a uniform tariff structure. While theory advocates a differentiated tariff structure (except under a balance of payments objective), political economy considerations, inadequate information, and administrative convenience point to a minimally differentiated tariff structure. The experience of reform indicates that tariff structures are mainly influenced by income distribution and protection objectives. The ability to successfully reduce tariffs depends on measures taken to alleviate fiscal and balance of payments constraints.

This book offers a compelling new interpretation of the proliferation of regional trade agreements (RTAs) at the end of the twentieth century. Challenging the widespread assumption that RTAs should be seen as fundamentally similar economic initiatives to pursue free trade, Francesco Duina proposes that the world is reorganizing itself into regions that are highly distinctive and enduring. With evidence from Europe, North America, and South America, he challenges our understanding of globalization, the nature of markets, and the spread of neoliberalism. The pursuit of free trade is a profoundly social process and, as such, a unique endeavor wherever it takes place. In an unprecedented comparative analysis, the book offers striking evidence of differences in the legal architectures erected to standardize the worldview of market participants and the reaction of key societal organizations--interest groups, businesses, and national administrations--to a broader marketplace. The author gives special attention to developments in three key areas of economic life: women in the workplace, the dairy industry, and labor rights. With its bold and original approach and its impressive range of data, The Social Construction of Free Trade represents a major advance in the growing fields of economic sociology and comparative regional integration.

This paper uses firm level data to examine the impact of tariff and adoption of ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) on manufacturing sector employment in Nigeria. The empirical strategy is based on Pooled Mean Group (PMG), which is one of the panel cointegrating regression techniques. The findings show that tariff does not have short-run effect on manufacturing employment in Nigeria. However, in the long-run employment in manufacturing firms declines with increase in tariff rate. The decline is more in the non-exporting firms, than in the exporting firms. It is also evident that CET does not have short-run effect on manufactured employment but harms employment in the long-run. It however, enhances employment when reform is interacted with tariff. It is therefore, recommended that Nigeria should generally reduce tariff rates and avoid policy inconsistency in order to achieve the desire long-run impact. Blanket policy reform targeting at all firms in the manufacturing sector should be discouraged. Case by case analysis should always be carried out so as to identify which policy is most appropriate for each manufacturing sub-sector. Finally, it is recommended the government should always follow up trade agreements with corresponding appropriate trade policy reform so as to maximize the gains from such agreement.

The aim of this paper is to determine the impact of Southern Africa Common External Tariff (CET) on the economy of Lesotho using a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model. Lesotho Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) was the core database and a base scenario for the application of a CGE model. The result indicate that CET for non-SACU (Southern African Custom Union) members were likely to cause significant decrease in exports of textile the main export product of Lesotho. The quantity of agriculture export varies from -1.78% (raw wool) to 0.25% (egg), the highest increase of quantity export observed in egg sector and the lowest quantity of export observed in raw wool sector. The quantity of agricultural import decreased in general, it ranges from -3.74% for skin and hide sector and -0.76% for egg sub-sector. In the textile sector, the quantity of aggregated marketed commodities was decreasing significantly. Quantity of aggregated marketed for processing of grain and grain products increase by 1.58%. Output prices and intermediate aggregate inputs of micro industry were increasing. Agricultural output decreased by 0.63%. CET also causes Lesotho household welfare, labour and capital to decline. The study concludes that CET within SACU (South African Custom Union) region will not benefit Lesotho, a country with a fragile economy. Lesotho should strength trade partnership with Rest of the world in order to boost the economy of the country.

Las integraciones económicas en América latina, aquí analizadas, son la expresión de la gobernanza en el contexto del neoliberalismo, son también el resultado de los ajustes de segunda generación, en términos de aperturas comerciales, venta de activos estatales, libre movilidad de capitales de corto plazo y las mismas integraciones europeas y asiáticas que precedieron a las regionales. ¿Son las integraciones la salida al desarro llo? ¿Las integraciones del norte toman el mismo rumbo que las gestadas en el sur del continente? ¿A quién debería beneficiar las integraciones? ¿Existe un vínculo entre el desarrollo y la demografía? Son preguntas que este artículo responde.

Rate structure, socioeconomic effects and revenue impact, and potential benefits.