This work provides a revised method of aggregation of tariff line data that is consistent with a common objective of the preferential policies. Using constant-elasticity-of-substitution aggregators we compute the uniform preferential tariff reduction that would leave the volume of imports...

This paper examines the effect of cross-border lobbying on domestic lobbying and on external tariffs in both Customs Union (CU) and Free Trade Area (FTA). We do so by developing a two-stage game which endogenizes the tariff formation function in a political economic model of the directly...

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...

Preferential trade agreements (PTAs), of which TTIP is but a recent incarnation, are not as "preferential" as they used to be. Traditional PTAs mainly exchanged "club goods", that is, goods or tariff concessions that are "non-rivalrous" (use by one does not diminish availability to others) but...