Hidden protectionism? Evidence from non-tariff barriers to trade in the United States

Arbeitspapier

Can the enforcement of product standards be protectionism in disguise? This paper estimates the costs of non-compliance with U.S. product standards, using a new database on U.S. import refusals from 2002 to 2014. We find that import refusals decrease exports to the United States. This trade reducing effect is driven by developing countries and by refusals without any product sample analysis, in particular during the Subprime Crisis and its aftermath. We also provide evidence that given product standards have been enforced more strictly during the crisis. These results are consistent with the existence of counter-cyclical, hidden protectionism due to non-tariff barriers to trade in the United States.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Working Papers in Economics ; No. 2016-02

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations ; Empirical Studies of Trade ; Development Planning and Policy: Trade Policy; Factor Movement; Foreign Exchange Policy ; Economic Impacts of Globalization: Economic Development
• Subject: hidden protectionism ; international trade ; developing countries ; import refusals ; regulatory costs ; disaggregated ; United States

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Grundke, Robert ; Moser, Christoph
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): University of Salzburg, Department of Social Sciences and Economics
• (where): Salzburg
• (when): 2016

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/156196
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:44 AM CET