Trade Policies and Their Effects
Effects of Alternative Trade Policies
Export Tariff
Impact on Producer:
- Increases revenue: Domestic producers benefit from higher prices due to reduced competition from imports.
Impact on Consumer:
- Decreases surplus: Higher prices lead to diminished consumer welfare.
Impact on Government:
- Increases revenue: Government collects tariff revenue.
Impact on National Welfare:
- Decreases in a small country due to higher prices and reduced consumption.
- Could increase in a large country if it can affect world prices.
Import Quota
Impact on Producer:
- Increases surplus: Domestic producers benefit from limited foreign competition.
Impact on Consumer:
- Decreases surplus: Consumers face higher prices and fewer choices.
Impact on Government:
- Mixed effects: Depends on whether quota rents are captured by the importing country (through sale of licenses) or by foreign exporters.
Impact on National Welfare:
- Decreases in a small country due to inefficiencies.
- Could increase in a large country by manipulating quotas.
Subsidy
Impact on Producer:
- Increases surplus: Producers receive direct financial assistance.
Impact on Consumer:
- Decreases: Potential for consumer harm due to higher taxes or prices.
Impact on Government:
- Increases spending: Government must fund subsidies; could lead to higher taxes.
Impact on National Welfare:
- Decreases overall due to market distortions.
Voluntary Export Restraint (VER)
Impact on Producer:
- Increases prices: Limiting exports can raise domestic prices.
Impact on Consumer:
- Decreases surplus: Higher prices limit consumer welfare.
Impact on Government:
- No direct revenue; benefits mostly accrue to domestic producers.
Impact on National Welfare:
- Decreases in small countries; possible welfare increase in large countries if they can negotiate beneficial terms with exporters.