DP4439 Regulated Efficiency, World Trade Organization Accession and the Motor Vehicle Sector in China

Author(s):	Joseph Francois, Dean Spinanger
Publication Date:	June 2004
Keyword(s):	automobile sector, China accession to wto
JEL(s):	F13, F14, F17
Programme Areas:	International Trade and Regional Economics
Link to this Page:	cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=4439

This Paper is concerned with the interaction of regulated efficiency and World Trade Organization (WTO) accession and its impact on China?s motor vehicle sector. The analysis is conducted using a 23-sector/25-region computable general equilibrium model. Regulatory reform and internal restructuring are found to be critical. Restructuring is represented by a cost reduction following from consolidation and rationalization that moves costs toward global norms. Without restructuring, WTO accession means a surge of final imports, though imports of parts could well fall as production moves offshore. With restructuring, however, the final assembly industry can be made competitive by world standards, with a strengthened position for the industry.