We show that multilateral tariff binding liberalization substantially impacts the nature and extent of Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) formation. First, it shapes the nature of forces constraining expansion of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The constraining force is a free riding incentive of...

Modern regional trade agreements focus on promoting bilateral exchange mostly by lowering non-tariff barriers to trade. But do existing regional trade agreements actually deliver what they promise? This paper argues that existing results in the literature are upward biased because of measurement...

Neuere Freihandelsabkommen wie die geplante Transatlantische Handels- und Investitionspartnerschaft (TTIP) beinhalten den Abbau regulatorischer Unterschiede. Die Überwindung technischer Barrieren verursacht im Unterschied zu klassischen Instrumenten der Handelspolitik wie Zöllen und Quoten...