This paper provides evidence that the reduction in bound MFN tariffs is significantly larger for products with initially high tariff levels. These findings highlight the sensitivity of the PTA-external tariff question to the inclusion of initial tariffs, putting into perspective the previously...

The world trading system in its current form aims at reducing multilateral trade barriers across the board. Indeed, the last successfully concluded multilateral trade negotiations led to substantial tariff concessions on the part of most developed economies. What, however, happened to other...