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Title: Comparative Advantage and Optimal Trade Policy

Author(s): Arnaud Costinot, Dave Donaldson, Jonathan Vogel and Iván Werning

Publication Date: December 2013

Keyword(s): Comparative Advantage, Ricardian Model and Trade Policy

Programme Area(s): International Trade and Regional Economics

Abstract: The theory of comparative advantage is at the core of neoclassical trade theory. Yet we know little about its implications for how nations should conduct their trade policy. For example, should import sectors with weaker comparative advantage be protected more? Conversely, should export sectors with stronger comparative advantage be subsidized less? In this paper we explore these issues in the context of a canonical Ricardian model. Our main results imply that optimal import tariffs should be uniform, whereas optimal export subsidies should be weakly decreasing with respect to comparative advantage, reflecting the fact that countries have more room to manipulate prices in their comparative-advantage sectors. Quantitative exercises suggest substantial gains from such policies relative to simpler tax schedules.

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Bibliographic Reference

Costinot, A, Donaldson, D, Vogel, J and Werning, I. 2013. 'Comparative Advantage and Optimal Trade Policy'. London, Centre for Economic Policy Research. https://cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=9765