Browsing by Subject "Input-output linkages"

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Input-output linkages and monopolistic competition : input distortion and optimal policies
(2021) Kohler, Wilhelm; Jung, Benjamin
In this paper, we provide a detailed analysis of a mechanism that distorts production towards too much use of primary factors like labor and too little use of intermediate inputs. The distortion results from two ingredients that are cornerstones of modern quantitative trade theory: monopolistic competition and input-output linkages. The distortion as such is unrelated to trade, but has important consequences for trade policy, including a positive first-order welfare effect from an import subsidy. For a crystal-clear view on the distortion, we first look at it in a single-sector, closed economy where the monopolistic competition equilibrium would be efficient without the presence of input-output linkages. We compare the social-planner-solution with the decentralized market equilibrium, and we identify first-best policies to correct the distortion. To analyze the trade policy implications we then extend our analysis to a setting with trade between two symmetric countries. We identify first-best cooperative policies, featuring nondiscriminatory subsidies of intermediate input use, aswell as non-cooperative trade policies where countries use tariffs to weigh terms of trade effects against benefits from correcting the input distortion.
Trade and welfare effects of a potential free trade agreementbetween Japan and the United States
(2018) Walter, Timo
This paper deals with the trade and welfare effects of a potential bilateral trade agreement between the US and Japan. A possible agreement is currently being discussed between Washington and Tokyo, although, there is also the alternative for the US government joining Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Based on the theoretical model of Caliendo and Parro (2015) I analyse the welfare gains of such a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in the style of Aichele et al. (2014). In particular, I simulate three scenarios with different levels of integration: The reduction of tariffs only, the scenario of a shallow FTA, and a deep FTA. In addition, the paper compares the trade and welfare changes of a deep FTA to the welfare effects of TPP. The findings are that Japan has the highest welfare gains with a FTA (0.085%), whilst the United States benefits the most from TPP with a welfare gain of 0.05%.