OPENING MARKETS WHILE MAINTAINING PROTECTION: TARIFF RATE QUOTAS IN KOREA AND JAPAN

As the result of Uruguay Round negotiations, Korea and Japan established tariff rate quotas (TRQs) for agricultural imports. Both countries allocate the TRQs with various methods that show different fill rates and welfare implications. The state trading enterprises play important roles in TRQ administration in both countries. The TRQs contributed to increased imports. However, the transparency and commercial consideration in administrating the TRQs remain a concern and the access for some commodities seems to be less open than would be the case if quota amounts were made available on a purely commercial basis.