DP5135 Market Structure in Services and Market Access in Goods

Author(s):	Joseph Francois, Ian Wooton
Publication Date:	July 2005
Keyword(s):	GATS, market access, services trade, strategic competition policy, trade and competition, trade liberalization
JEL(s):	F12, F13, F23
Programme Areas:	International Trade and Regional Economics
Link to this Page:	cepr.org/active/publications/discussion_papers/dp.php?dpno=5135

We examine interaction between goods trade and market power in domestic trade and distribution sectors. Theory suggests a linkage between service-sector competition and goods trade, one supported by econometrics involving imports of 22 OECD countries vis-à-vis 69 exporters. This points to linkages between market access conditions for goods and the structure of the service sector. Competition in services affects the volume of goods trade. Additionally, because of interaction between tariffs and competition, the market structure of the domestic service sector becomes increasingly important as tariffs are reduced. Also, empirically service competition apparently matters most for exporters in smaller, poorer countries.